2nd July 2013In many ways, trees are an investment. Nurture them and they will reward your efforts. But some are more giving than others; and in return for their generosity, nature has granted them longevity.
Meet the carob and the olive trees – two timeless trees that epitomize the Cyprus landscape.
Visit the Cyprus countryside and you will encounter orchards at every turn. Pink-white blossoms are the tender label of the abundant almond trees. Lush and shiny foliage are the giveaway of the citruses. Many others will tease your curiosity or challenge your knowledge. Whatever you do, make sure you identify two trees that are inseparable from the Cyprus countryside; two trees that have – in their own way – shaped the island’s trade and traditions for centuries: the olive tree on the one hand, the carob tree on the other.
Though it seems impossible to find visual similarities between the two, they do have one thing in common. Both grow and mature slowly, but can live for hundreds of years. Both have high tolerance levels, and won’t easily give in to the heat and drought of Cyprus summers.
