The ancient olive tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece. Image credit: Eric Nagle

The Olive tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece is probably the oldest olive tree in the world and is definitely among the oldest of any tree alive on this planet. It is confirmed to be at least 2,000 years old based on tree ring analysis, and scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be as old as 4,000 years!

The ancient tree could be up to 4,000 years old. Image credit: Alexey Komarov

Another іпсгedіЬɩe fact about the Olive tree of Vouves is that it still produces olives. In fact, according to Greek Reporter, the ancient olive tree produces the best olive oil in the world, the area being the cradle of olive cultivation on the island of Crete.

 

The trunk of the tree, which has a perimeter of 41 feet (12.5 m) and a diameter of 15 feet (4.6 m) is now hollow, as the heartwood is gradually rotting away.

You can actually see through the trunk, as it is hollow. Nevertheless, the tree continues to live and produce olives. Johan Wieland

 

Branches from the tree were used to weave ⱱісtoгѕ’ wreaths for the wіппeгѕ of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And who knows? It could even have provided the wreaths for the first ancient Olympic Games that can be traced back to Olympia in 776 BC.