NATURE : THE OLIVE TREES (South Italy)

This is an Olive tree planted from my grandfather in Southern Italy.
There are 100 of them and every year they require to be cut properly (such a Bonsai, but in real size) and taken care of in order they can produce the "olive" fruits which can be harvested in early November. It is now the 4th year in a raw that I am travelling to Italy in order to take part to the process.

This year is the first time I was able to cut the trees myself together with my uncles. As a man's world, it is somehow seen as special for a woman to cut the trees. Indeed the old generation in the village was very much doubting of my capacity to cut the trees properly. By chance I got trained last year and this one got a refresher course, on how to cut the trees with the method of "vaso policonico". When the tress have almost 50 years which is the case here, it is somehow harder to "form" them completely differently. So there is a need to accept their current form, the past cutting strategies and to do the best in order to "RESPECT THE TREE " and therefore not harm them, by cutting too much, not cutting with the proper material or at the appropriate time.

Each tree cutting demanded almost an hour for me. Experienced people need about 30 min max to cut the tree and ensure the sun can come in properly to give birth to the olive fruits.

What can an olive tree bring as qualities when you are around them:
- Liveliness
- Connectedness
- Overview
- Understand simplicity of things in life
- Quietness