Overview
The olive Tree is widely grown in the Mediterranean countries like Tunisia, Spain, Italy, and the Holy Land. The grains, sturdiness and beauty of the grains of the olive wood is different from one country to another based on factors climate and geography.
The olive Tree is the most widely grown tree in the Holy land through the history until now. The olive tree is the source of olives, oil, wood, and best of all, the beauty of the tree. Olive oil is consumed with food, and used in many products, like soap, other chemicals and some medicines.
The Olive Tree is a subtropical, broad-leaved, evergreen tree that has a long life cycle that could last for thousands of years if the circumstances do not affect its existence and growth. The Olive Tree is different than most of the trees. It takes about 8 years after planted to start producing the olives. Every year, after the harvest season that takes place in October, the olive tree needs to be pruned and trimmed to improve productivity. The purpose is to remove any non productive branches and to keep all branches within reach of appropriate sunlight and airflow. All central branches are removed to achieve that goal. This process helps in growth and in widening the trunk and thickening the branches of the tree. The tree can grow up to a 20 feet (7 m)
The Olive Tree of the Holy land
“The Sacred Tree”, “The Peace Tree”, “The Tree of Light”, and “The Tree of Legends”
Through the known history, besides the need for olives and oil for food, olive oil was used and continues to be used for anointing. In the Old Testament, olive oil was used to anoint prophets and kings, and to light the lamps. It was also used to anoint the sick and the dead.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ was described as the “Anointed One” the Messiah. Christians were called Nozreem or Masseheen, which in Aramic and Arabic means “people anointed with olive oil” or the followers of the Messiah; the anointed.
Many of the places mentioned in the Holy Bible like Mount of Olives, and Garden of Gethsemane are still growing the olive trees. The Olive trees of Gethsemane; the Jerusalem garden where Jesus Christ prayed after His last supper and before He was crucified, are among the oldest in the world, have been dated to at least 900 years old.
The Olive-tree in Scripture
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. Psalm 52:8