Olive trees in North Cyprus by Sol Daniel age 12

My Nanny and Granddad have rescued two olive trees. There used to be a company who rescued olive trees which were being destroyed because so many new houses, roads and swimming pools were being built. Sadly, the company has finished now. An estimated 200 olive trees a week were being chopped down and destroyed in 2005. Olive trees are protected in North Cyprus so it seems strange that so many have disappeared.

Olive trees are very hardy and drought, disease and fire resistant and they can live for a very long time. The root system is very strong and capable of rebuilding the tree even if the above ground trunk is destroyed.

Olive trees are very useful. The three main parts of an olive tree are olives (as food), its wood (good for burning) and olive leaves used in antibiotics or anti-ageing cream. The leaves have been used medically for hundreds of years. They are commonly used for fighting flu and colds, yeast infections and viral infections. They have been used to help fight cancer in mice.

From the Timesonline : ”Boil two quarts of water, then place 10g of olive leaves (alone or mixed with other herbs/teas) in an infuser or directly into the boiling water. Immediately reduce the heat to a high simmer and allow the tea to brew for about 15 minutes. Stir the tea occasionally, then strain to drink and/or refrigerate. The tea should be a medium amber colour with a slightly bitter taste. To combat a specific ailment, sip the refrigerated or reheated tea and consume the entire two quarts over the course of three days.”

Olive leaf extracts can be used as liquid concentrate, dried leaves, powder form or capsules. You can even make soap or skin cream by mixing olive oil and olive leave extract. According to the Wikipedia, olive leaf extracts can lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Each year, usually in October, there is an olive festival in Zeytinlik (zeytin is the Turkish word for olive). This village used to be the centre of olive oil production in the past.  If you collect olives from your trees you can take them to the olive oil factory and they will press them for you and give you the olive oil.

The olive branch symbolises peace and goodwill. Hopefully the rate at which they are disappearing in Cyprus does not mean that peace and goodwill will also disappear from the island!