The second life of a giant: how we have recovered a centenary olive tree

There are few trees that represent the history, resilience, and essence of our landscape as well as the olive tree. They are specimens capable of withstanding droughts, storms, and the passing of decades—or even centuries—without losing their majesty. However, when the main trunk begins to dry out and the wood dies from within, many think the end of the tree has arrived. But nature has surprising mechanisms for rebirth, and this week we had the privilege of witnessing this firsthand.

During our last day in the field, we faced the challenge of recovering an olive tree over 100 years old that was in a very delicate state. Its main trunk was completely dry and had no vegetative continuity in the upper part, but at the base, near the roots, one could sense a great, repressed strength.

In this article, we explain step-by-step how we approached this reconstruction intervention and what the keys are to ensuring a centenarian specimen becomes productive and healthy once again.

1.- The rejuvenation cut: a turning point

When the wood of a main trunk rots or dries out, it becomes a focus for infections and attracts fungi that can end up destroying the entire root system. The most direct and effective solution is to perform a rejuvenation cut (or heavy pruning). In our case, we made a clean cut at a height of about 100 centimeters from the ground. This operation allows for sanitizing the entire dead part, reducing the unnecessary weight the stump was supporting, and opening space for new vegetation. The cut was made with a slight incline to prevent rainwater from accumulating on it.

2.- Banking on the suckers at the base

Unlike other species, the olive tree has an extraordinary capacity for regrowth from the stump and primary roots. Around the old cut trunk, numerous suckers or young shoots full of green, vigorous leaves immediately began to emerge. These shoots are not weeds that should be cleared all at once; they are the future of the tree. During the early stages, it is vital not to remove all the shoots at once. The new leaves are the photosynthetic engine responsible for sending nutrients to the roots to maintain the viability of a centenarian root system that needs a lot of energy to reorganize itself.

3.- Shaping the tree into two trunks

For the reconstruction of this specimen, we have chosen a very traditional and efficient training method: developing it into two trunks (two main stems). This structure has great advantages:

1. Balance and distribution of strength: Two opposite trunks allow the load to be distributed evenly over the old base.
2. Better lighting and ventilation: The canopy remains open in the center, improving air circulation and reducing the risk of diseases like peacock spot.
3. Ease of management: It makes future pruning, treatment, and harvesting tasks much more comfortable. To achieve this, we will make a progressive selection: of all the suckers currently growing, we will choose the two strongest, straightest, and best-positioned ones on opposite sides of the stump. We will train them so they become the new main axes.

4.- Immediate care and protection of the stump

After the cut, two crucial details remain to successfully conclude the process:

1. Application of healing paste: It is essential to cover the entire surface of the large cut with mastic or a protective paste containing fungicide. This seals the wood and prevents moisture and pathogens from penetrating inside.
2. Removal of sawdust: All sawdust accumulated at the base must be removed so as not to create a source of excessive moisture around the lower bark.

Recovering a tree of this age is not just agricultural work; it is an act of respect for our natural heritage. Now, all that remains is to support the process, provide the necessary nutrients, and watch as these two new trunks rise with the strength of a century of history behind them.