Alexandra Poremba

Willowwind Wolves
Olives

Olive trees can live for 1,500 years. When they get chopped down, they continue to grow
and survive to bear fruit as long as the roots remain intact (Chase 110). One account says that
Mediterranean olive trees still bear fruit after 1,500 years. Olive trees can grow up to 50 feet tall
and bear up to 100 pounds of fruit per harvest. If you do not prune an olive tree, it will bear small
olives. Olive trees can grow in 15 degrees F, but the olives will be damaged at below 28
degrees F, and flowers will suffer from frost (Chase, 111).
Olives are also called Olea Europaea and are part of the Oleaceae family, which also
includes lilacs . There are four different types of olives, but they each come in many different
varieties. Varieties of olives differ in size, shape, and color.
Humans have been using olives for at least 8,000 years. Olives were domistaced in
Eastern Mediterranean 8,000 years ago. Domastcated olives are larger and jucier than wild
olives. Olive oil is used in Jewish, Christian, and Islam religions as part of myths and stories as
a symbol of peace and is one of the worlds most liked foods. Olives were used in the oldest
cookbook ever found. Olives were a main source of calories for the Mediterranean people.
American pioneers had trouble growing olives. Thomas Jefferson called the olive tree,
"The richest gift of heaven" (qtd. in Chase 110).
Olive tree bark is used for many things like furniture and decoration. Olive branches
were used to decorate. Ash trees are related to olive trees.
Olives have been used for many medical uses. Olives are effective for lowering
cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, reducing risk for heart diseases or attack, and lowering
chance of breast cancer(webmd.com). The olive branch is a symbol of peace and goodwill.

I think that olives might be used to treat diseases in the future or fuel cars.
Olives are one of the most liked foods of the world, but honestly, I don't like the taste of
them. Thankfully they are used for things other than eating.

Works Cited
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Landscape. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2010. Print.
Chase, Nan K. Eat Your Yard!: Edible Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Herbs and Flowers for Your
Landscape. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2010. Print.
Chase, Nan K. Eat Your Yard!: Edible Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Herbs and Flowers for Your
Landscape. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2010. Print.
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"Oleaceae." Encyclopaedia Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.

<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/427445/Oleaceae>.
"Olives." Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.
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Tambuelli, Luca. "Extra Virgin Olive Oil Highly Esteemed by Main Religions." Olive Oil
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Tudge, Colin. The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why
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