The olive tree is a very valuable tree with its fruit, pit, and golden oil. If grown in the right conditions, it bears fruit within 5-6 years of being planted. It takes 20 years for an olive tree to become decently yielding and it gets better and better as time goes on. Between the ages of 35-150, the tree is at its peak yield and maturity. Afterwards the tree lives on for hundreds of years. It has a considerably long lifespan. Of course, as it gets older it becomes less fertile.
The olive tree gives an impressive yield one year while resting and giving less in the next. Essentially, one year it gives a lot, one year it gives very little. This is called periodicity. This phenomenon is called “var yılı ve yok yılı” by the locals. Which is roughly “fertile year and infertile year.”
Olive Orchards
The olive tree is very special. It can live up to 1000 years. Some researchers have reported 3000 year old olive trees. The olive tree owes its long lifespan to the oleuropein in its leaves. This substance protects the tree from diseases and other harmful effects. Also, the calcium elenolaten in its leaves kills harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungus.