The age of the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

Bernabei, Mauro

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2014.10.011

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…We have found that the datable wood of the Zippori tree was likely not older than 1879 CE (point B1). This is in agreement with most other existing inner wood within live olive trees which has not been dated to older than 200–300 years, with the exception of unique conditions where trees have been nurtured, such as in Gethsemane ( Bernabei, 2015 ). In addition, radiocarbon dating the cross-section clearly revealed a complex pattern for olive wood growth.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Estimation of the age of the olive tree pith was carried out by extrapolation based on growth rates (as in Arnan et al, 2012 ; Bernabei, 2015 ). Rates were calculated between numerous points along three radii in the trunk cross-section from Zippori ( Table 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct dating of living olive trees can only be done on the existing wood which is closest to the hypothetical center, which has rarely been radiocarbon dated to older than 200–300 years ( Lavee, 1996 ). Recently, however, wood from live olive trees in Jerusalem has been radiocarbon dated to 600–700 years old ( Bernabei, 2015 ). Extrapolating the age of the original pith has been based on the rate of increase in girth per year, combined with the current girth of the trunk ( Arnan et al, 2012 ; Bernabei, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiocarbon Dating of an Olive Tree Cross-Section: New Insights on Growth Patterns and Implications for Age Estimation of Olive Trees

2017

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The age of living massive olive trees is often assumed to be between hundreds and even thousands of years. These estimations are usually based on the girth of the trunk and an extrapolation based on a theoretical annual growth rate. It is difficult to objectively verify these claims, as a monumental tree may not be cut down for analysis of its cross-section. In addition, the inner and oldest part of the trunk in olive trees usually rots, precluding the possibility of carting out radiocarbon analysis of material from the first years of life of the tree. In this work we present a cross-section of an olive tree, previously estimated to be hundreds of years old, which was cut down post-mortem in 2013. The cross-section was radiocarbon dated at numerous points following the natural growth pattern, which was made possible to observe by viewing the entire cross-section. Annual growth rate values were calculated and compared between different radii. The cross-section also revealed a nearly independent segment of growth, which would clearly offset any estimations based solely on girth calculations. Multiple piths were identified, indicating the beginning of branching within the trunk. Different radii were found to have comparable growth rates, resulting in similar estimates dating the piths to the 19th century. The estimated age of the piths represent a terminus ante quem for the age of the tree, as these are piths of separate branches. However, the tree is likely not many years older than the dated piths, and certainly not centuries older. The oldest radiocarbon-datable material in this cross-section was less than 200 years old, which is in agreement with most other radiocarbon dates of internal wood from living olive trees, rarely older than 300 years.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiocarbon Dating of an Olive Tree Cross-Section: New Insights on Growth Patterns and Implications for Age Estimation of Olive Trees

2017

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“…Old hardwood trees normally do not exceed 300 yr of age, with a few genera that include individuals older than 500 yr (Di Filippo et al ., 2015; Worbes & Schöngart, 2019). Large olive trees ( Olea europea L.) are considered capable of living for millennia, but to date the oldest radiocarbon‐dated olive stems have maximum ages approaching, albeit not reaching, a millennium (Bernabei, 2015).…”

Section: Ecological Considerations In Space and Timementioning

confidence: 99%

On tree longevity

Piovesan

Biondi

2021

New Phytologist

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Large, majestic trees are iconic symbols of great age among living organisms. Published evidence suggests that trees do not die because of genetically programmed senescence in their meristems, but rather are killed by an external agent or a disturbance event. Long tree lifespans are therefore allowed by specific combinations of life history traits within realized niches that support resistance to, or avoidance of, extrinsic mortality. Another requirement for trees to achieve their maximum longevity is either sustained growth over extended periods of time or at least the capacity to increase their growth rates when conditions allow it. The growth plasticity and modularity of trees can then be viewed as an evolutionary advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce for centuries and millennia. As more and more scientific information is systematically collected on tree ages under various ecological settings, it is becoming clear that tree longevity is a key trait for global syntheses of life history strategies, especially in connection with disturbance regimes and their possible future modifications. In addition, we challenge the long-held notion that shade-tolerant, late-successional species have longer lifespans than earlysuccessional species by pointing out that tree species with extreme longevity do not fit this paradigm. Identifying extremely old trees is therefore the groundwork not only for protecting and/or restoring entire landscapes, but also to revisit and update classic ecological theories that shape our understanding of environmental change.

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“…In the native range, population turnover of olives is considered to be slow since millennial wild or cultivated trees are known in different places (e.g. Baali-Cherif and Besnard 2005 ; Arnan et al 2012 ; Bernabei 2015 ). In addition, when the tree is cut or destroyed aboveground, for instance through fire or heavy frost, even ancient trees are able to resprout (e.g.…”

Section: Geographic Distribution and Diversity Of Olivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ecological and evolutionary perspective on the parallel invasion of two cross-compatible trees

Besnard

Cuneo

2015

AoB PLANTS

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The cultivated olive is an iconic Mediterranean crop that has been spread over the world in all regions with a Mediterranean climate. The species is however able to escape from cultivation, and can invade new ranges with negative impacts on native vegetation. The parallel invasion of two olive subspecies in different climatic zones of Australia provides an interesting case study of invasion, characterised by early genetic admixture between domesticated and wild taxa. In this synthesis, we provide an overview of the history and ecology of invasive olives, and identify further research needed to guide future management and invasion risk.

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The age of the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

Cited by 25 publications

References 19 publications

Radiocarbon Dating of an Olive Tree Cross-Section: New Insights on Growth Patterns and Implications for Age Estimation of Olive Trees

Radiocarbon Dating of an Olive Tree Cross-Section: New Insights on Growth Patterns and Implications for Age Estimation of Olive Trees

On tree longevity

An ecological and evolutionary perspective on the parallel invasion of two cross-compatible trees

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