Located in the small town of Ano Vouves on the island of Crete in Greece, this remarkable tree has seen more in its lifetime than most things on this earth.
Indeed, at an age between 2500-4000 years old, this huge, ancient olive tree is considered the oldest on the planet.
Throughout its long life, the heartwood of this tree has decayed, leaving a gnarled, twisted trunk that is hollow inside. The monumental twisted trunk and exposed roots add to the mystique and wonder of this ancient living thing. Indeed, the lack of heartwood makes the historical dating of this tree next to impossible.
This short video from Approach Guides gives a walk around of the tree, peacefully sitting in the town square, leaves swaying in the breeze.
Protected by the town and government in 1997, the tree continues to live on gracefully, and still produces olives to this day.
The tree’s huge circumference shows its age, and the gnarled, twisted wood reveal a hollow center at its base.
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