Determining the age of olive trees is a difficult task due to their continuous growth over many centuries. However, thanks to the latest research methods, scientists have been able to determine that one of the olive trees in the world surpasses all its companions in age.
In the small village of Bshaleh in northern Lebanon, several olive trees steeped in local legend and nicknamed “Noah’s Trees” were thought to be thousands of years old, linking them to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. But recent scientific research has shed light on the real age of these plants, revealing far more unique features about some of them than they might have expected, The New York Times reports.
Dating olive trees is a difficult task because they grow unevenly and often have hollow or multi-stemmed trunks, making it impossible to read their age from a cross-section and blurring the boundaries of their history. Unlike many other trees, olives do not always have clear annual growth rings, making it difficult for dendrochronologists, specialists in tree ring dating, to determine their age. Previous attempts to date these trees by their diameter and appearance have often resulted in serious inaccuracies, the study said.
To overcome these obstacles with modern technology, a team of scientists went to Bshaaleh. To determine the age of the tree, they used carbon-14 dating, which measures the decay of radioactive carbon in the oldest wood. This method, although difficult given the complex structure of trees, allowed scientists to calculate their age. Among the trees studied was one that had witnessed thousands of years of human history, alongside others that were several centuries old, making it the oldest olive tree in the world, at over 1,100 years old.
These trees are not just plants; they are a symbol of identity and pride for the local people, and their fruit plays a major role in the community's annual harvest. And while they may not be as ancient as previously thought, their cultural legacy remains as great as ever.
