Olive Trees

About

Originating in the Mediterranean Basin, olive trees have been of agricultural importance for thousands of years. Although olives are not native to the Americas, they thrived in the valleys of South America's dry Pacific coast where Spanish colonists brought them in the mid 15th century and slowly made their way north over the last 500+ years. Over the years, many uses have been found for olive trees. The delicate branches can be used in bouquets or as incense, or fruit can be brined or pressed into oil. This is known to have numerous health benefits if ingested or used topically. Culturally, olive branches have been a long-standing symbol of abundance and peace. The extraordinary olive tree makes a great addition to the backyard orchard. Check out 5 Reasons to Grow an Olive Tree if you need more convincing. If you are interested in growing your own olive trees at home, here are some tips to get you started.