Stara maslina

In Kaštel Štafilić there is an exceptional natural monument, an olive tree more than 1500 years old. Olea Europea, for the locals is not a wild olive tree. In the wider area of ​​the region, there no such variety is present today, so it is assumed that it was brought from southern Italy or Greece. In ancient times (1st century AD) this area between Salona and Tragurium was an important agricultural area with numerous Roman country villas. In the time of Emperor Claudius (10-54 AD), the land was divided among veterans. This fact leads to the assumption that Roman soldiers brought olive seeds to their agricultural estates in the settlement of Siculi, which was located close to ​​today's Rešnik.

The 1,500-year-old olive tree is located in the yard of the Maslina kindergarten in Kaštel Štafilić, owned by the Perišić family. It belongs to the variety of oilseeds, with small leaves and fruits, no robust main roots - but wide rooting system is developed in about ​​100m. The circumference of the trunk is 6 meters, the diameter of the canopy is 22 m, and the height is 10 m. The tree was declared a natural monument in 1990, and the possibility of its inscription on the list of world natural and cultural heritage at UNESCO is being considered.

In order to preserve the health of this extremely old tree, biological protection is needed. A project has been made to rehabilitate and revitalize an olive tree whose trunk has been damaged, the central part is dead, ie a cavity, and nutrient juices flow through the outer layer of the bark, which also protects the inner support. The upper part of the canopy is significantly weakened and diseased due to the damaged trunk, and treatment is carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Adriatic Cultures. In addition to the rehabilitation of the olive tree, landscaping is also being carried out, which should contribute to the health of the old tree. Preservation of this rare monument, which combines nature and history and is important for the culture and image of Dalmatia, is important for nurturing tradition and preserving the natural spaces of our country.

www.kastela.org/kastela/u-kastelima/284-stara-maslina


Streetview:
virtualglobetrotting.com/map/over-1500-years-old-olive-tree-stara-maslina/view/google