Olive wood Trees

Olive Wood Trees

Bethlehem Olive wood.jpg

The olive tree is native to coastal areas of southeastern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa and northernIran. Its fruit, the olive is a major source of olive oil. Olive wood grows in many regions but most commonly known from Bethlehem. Olive wood in Bethlehem is a local raw material this is used for religious, historical and artistic works.

Olive wood has been used since hundreds of years and is known for its durability and olive wood bethlehem.jpg density. This wood which is used for carving comes from older trees that are unproductive for fruit. They also come from the pruning of younger trees so no trees are ever destroyed for the use of their wood. Its rich and beautiful grains and textures give olive wood a great quality. And as it ages, the grains and colors become darker and richer. And because of its value, there is a high demand for it.

olive wood tree.jpg The olive tree is an evergreen tree and does not grow very tall. The average height of an olive tree is anywhere from 26 feet to 49 feet. Its trunk is usually crooked and twisted. Olives are harvested in the green to purple stage. This hardy tree can resist drought, disease, and fire and can live for a very long time. Its root system is very strong and capable of regenerating the tree even if the above ground structure is destroyed.

olive wood olive.jpg Historically, the Olive tree’s leafy branches are considered as a symbol of abundance, glory and peace. Olive oil also has been considered sacred since the ancient times. It is a symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned in the Bible over 30 times in both the New and Old Testaments.

olive tree.jpg The olive tree has been cultivated for olive oil, fine wood, olive leaf, and the olive fruit. The olive leaves are also used in medicinal teas. Olive wood has been for carving souvenirs such as olive wood beads and many other olive wood religious handicrafts. This skill still exists mainly among the Christian community of Bethlehem.

olive wood tree bethlehem.gif Harvest time for olives is during the season of autumn and winter. Green olives are picked at the end of September to about the middle of November. Blonde olives are picked from the middle of October to the end of November and black olives are picked from the middle of November to the end of January or early February.