Home / Environment / Montenegro's 2,250-Year-Old Olive Tree Finally Harvested
Montenegro's 2,250-Year-Old Olive Tree Finally Harvested
2 Jul
Summary
- An ancient olive tree in Bar, Montenegro, has been successfully harvested after four seasons.
- The tree, believed to be 2,250 years old, underwent years of restorative work.
- It has become a symbol of peace and resilience for the local Mirovica community.
In the Montenegrin town of Bar, a multi-year effort to save one of the nation's oldest olive trees has successfully culminated in its first harvest in four seasons. This ancient tree, with local lore suggesting it was brought by Greeks, is estimated to be 2,250 years old based on laboratory testing from 2015.
The House of Olives, a public company established by the local government, spearheaded the restorative work after the tree's health began to decline rapidly in 2022. Excessive groundwater, exacerbated by urbanization, was identified as the primary threat.
Years of dedicated work to improve drainage have visibly revived the tree, which began producing oil last year. Now bearing fruit again, it has become a significant draw for tourists, attracting 40,000 visitors in the past year alone and serving as a potent symbol for the Mirovica community.
