“. . . each of our lives traces its own map onto the shared terrain.”
– Rebecca Solnit
A couple of olive trees in Portugal are said to be older than 2000 years. One of these can be found in Mouchão, not far from the highway that links Central Portugal to Lisbon. Millenial olive trees are hollow inside, which makes them difficult to date. That was until a method was developed by Prof. José Penetra Louzada, professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). The method he developed for dating these trees is a mathematical formula based on growth patterns through the measurements of diameter, height and perimeter of the olive trees. There is only a 2% margin of error and no damage done to the tree in the process.
Not only was it the perfect place to stop, stretch my legs, and enjoy a cup of tea on my way to pick Michael up from the airport, but also to contemplate how fleeting human life is in the bigger scheme of things. Dated to be 3350 years old, it is hard to imagine the history and life that has ebbed and flowed while this ancient tree silently stood watching.
Portuguese Words:
Oliveira – Olive tree
chá – tea
velha (f) / velho (m) – old
Written by: Jolandi
Wonderful stopover. Does this mean that you are reunited? Temporarily or forever? 🙂 In any case, enjoy it which I’m sure you are. Greetings from Tuscany where it’s not hot at all yet. So strange.
Reunited, unfortunately only for three weeks, Manja. We are still busy with infrastructure on the land, which costs more than what we would like, so he will be working in the UAE for a bit longer to give us a better headstart. Interesting that it isn’t hot yet in Tuscany. I must admit that I cannot wait for the warmer weather. Today was 22C – the hottest day so far this year. We’ve had quite a bit of rain the previous two weeks. Greetings from a beautifully green and sunny Central Portugal. – Jolandi
What a beautiful, venerable tree, Jolandi. And how fascinating to ponder all the history it has lived through.
It boggles my mind to think how long this tree has stood here, Tanja. Imagine the stories it could tell . . . – Jolandi
Maybe one of these days, when all the projects around your new home are finished, you will write the tree’s story… 🙂
I’m looking forward to that day when I will have more time, and all our big projects are done, Tanja. But I am also learning that there will always be a lot of work on the quinta and that I will have to find a rhythm which allows me more time for writing. – Jolandi
These ancient trees are amazing! Thinking about this tree’s age and everything that has happened in the world since it germinated gives me the same feeling I get when I look out at the night sky and think of all the planets and solar systems out there. It is just too great for my poor brain to comprehend!
I hope you and Micheal are enjoying your precious time together.
Love and best wishes,
Clare xx
They truly are, Clare. I also get the same feeling as you when I look at the night sky. It makes me feel very small and insignificant.
I must confess that it is wonderful to have Michael here. To just sit in the same room and talk is such a precious gift. He was forced to relax the first two days, but today has been busy, as we are planning an orchard, and had to go buy all the pipes needed for irrigation today. Not to mention that he is already on the roof of the barn this afternoon, giving it a coat of paint, as it is a terrible eyesore. So, although we will be quite busy, I do think we will have plenty of time to relax and talk and talk and talk. – Jolandi
We’re on the same page. The minutes I saw that tree I thought, how many have paused in its shade, sat by its roots. How many stories is this tree the keeper of?
Exactly, Gwen! I wish I could place my ear against the trunk and hear all those stories. Being close to this tree evokes the same feeling I get when in an old church or chapel. There are so many layers of history imbued with the energy of the people who passed through. – Jolandi
Wow. I had no idea olive trees lived so long, or were hollow inside. Glad to hear you were picking Michael up. Is he here for good now?
I wish he were, Lani, but unfortunately it is only a visit. BUT a three week one, at least. Trying to build infrastructure is more expensive than what we’ve hoped for, so he will be working in the UAE for a bit longer. We trust that all the sacrifices of living apart for a while will be worth it in the end. – Jolandi
I love seeing old trees like this one. As you and others have noted here, it makes the lives of human beings, whole civilizations really, seem like barely a blip in the universe. It’s humbling—I wonder what impact my life will have on history, if any—and also awe inspiring. If only the tree could talk! I imagine it could tell us a lot of stories about the things it’s experienced. I also hope it can survive our tumultuous century, given our start. Climate scientists are predicting that California will experience long periods of chronic water shortages: some farmers here are even saying they plan on selling their land before they run out of water to irrigate their orchards and fields. Which doesn’t bode well for food prices or the supply.
Ah yes, if these trees could talk! I remember visiting the garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem and contemplating what those old olive trees have seen in their lives. Interesting that they get hollow with old age. I learned recently that this happens to western red cedar trees too.
In a weird bit of synchronicity, I am reading a book whose interlocking stories all have trees at their center, and it has made me think, like you, about what our trees have seen over the centuries. I’m happy to read that you will have some human company (and help!) for the next few weeks – enjoy it all!
I love these weird bits of synchronicity, Lex. What is the title of the book? You’ve got me curious now.
It is wonderful to have Michael here. I think it reminds us both how lovely it is to be in the same physical space, but as we have such big dreams and hopes for our quinta, it also reinforces the sensibility to spend time apart for a while, as infrastructure is expensive. – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
What a wonderful to place to stop, pause, and reflect. Indeed, this tree must have experience so much over the years – I wish we humans could “listen” to some of these stories. I agree, moments like this – it puts things in perspective, and reminds me how we are quite small in the grand, grand scale of things. I am glad that you can both spend some time together, and of course continue to make progress on your peace of heaven. Our best wishes from Japan, as always.
And what a grand scale of things it is, Takami. We love that we can spend three weeks together in our special place. Big hug to you. – Jolandi
Looks like there is a face on the tree (hollow side). Interesting how old it is!
I love that you see a face there, Evelyn.
The tree is so beautiful. I appreciate the photos of how seriously hollow it is. I had the thought that a human might think of a hollow trunk as a “flaw,” but I see no flaws in this tree. Of course I think about the signs of my lifetime that are visible on me, and realize that they are not flaws in my appearance. 🙂 Love to you, and glad for your time with Michael. ~Crystal
You are so right that we often refer to or think of certain things as ‘flaws’, yet they are the marks of life – hopefully one well lived. It is wonderful to have Michael around. – Jolandi