What does the Olive Wreath mean for the Olympic Games?

There was a time when Olympians wouldn’t compete for gold. There was no silver or bronze, and only the victor was rewarded. That reward would take the form of a Kotinos, better known as an Olive Wreath.

The Olive Tree has long been associated with the Olympics, where it symbolized peace and also had cultural significance. Olive oil was prized by the population and the Olive Tree Wreaths, said to be harvested from a sacred garden using golden scissors, carried a significant amount of prestige.

The oldest olive tree in the world in Greece. 3500 years old tree with wide trunk and dark green foliage.

Of course, you don’t need golden scissors to prune an Olive Tree nowadays. Any old scissors will do nicely. But you could make a nice wreath for competing family members in the ‘Backyard Olympics’ and tell them it’s worth more than gold.

In fact, you can tell them there’s a symbolic Olive Tree planted at the International Olympic Committee Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, meaning your landscape is ‘twinned’ with somewhere quite special leo.

Photo: Olive Tree in Greece, known as the oldest in the world, approx. 3500 years old.

OLEA 'Frantoio - Olive Trees in a beautiful garden in Wanaka.

Speaking of something quite special, a hearty congratulations to the Women’s Rugby Sevens and Women’s Double Scull Rowing teams for taking gold in Paris! What an amazing achievement. Let’s hope there’s more medals to come for our athletes! We’ve certainly been enjoying Paris 2024 so far and hope you have too. Now, back to that remarkable and storied tree that’s been there since the beginning… 

OLEA ‘Frantoio’ – Olive Tree

This medium to large sized Olive Tree has one of the most interesting branch configurations. It’s not overly complex but it is full of character, providing the foundation for a tree that seems to grow perfectly straight before diverting off for a low canopy that screams of Mediterranean sunshine. The fruity and aromatic oil produced smells of the Mediterranean too.

– Suitable for nearly any landscape, especially formal hedging, pleaching and topiary
– Evergreen will grow up to 4x4m

Photo: George by OLEA ‘Frantoio’ – Olive Tree in 1000L container, 3m height. Not as old as the one in Greece, but 25 years old. Well established tree, ready to be delivered to create a world of beauty in your landscape project.

George from Easy Big Trees Sales & Nursery Support team by a 1000L container beautiful OLEA 'Frantoio' - Olive Tree
OLEA varieties - Olive Tree in 12L container, 4+ years old and 25L container, 6+ years old.
Olive Tree varieties, 400L, 18+ years old in Horse Bend Wanaka, supplied by Easy Big Trees.
OLEA 'Leccino' - Olive Tree close up photos at Easy Big Trees Nursery. Bellbird visit and olive fruits.
Harry Winter planting tips: One way to keep your hands warm in Winter is to keep them busy with some planting! It might sound like a strange time to do this but we’re operating on nature’s timeline here, and nature is making sure the soil is moist, while keeping bugs and plant diseases at bay. Your new plants will appreciate the time getting used to their new home before Spring kicks in.
Harry Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Tips: It's true alright. Some work now will reap a bountiful harvest next Summer, when you really do get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. The key is to stick to the 3 D's of pruning, getting rid of anything that's dead, diseased or damaged. Go about your work on a dry day and wear a few layers, so you can take them off as needed. Different fruit trees need to be pruned slightly differently but in general, just remember to not get too carried away. Trimming back by about 20% is a good rule of thumb.
Testimonial from Gus, Easy Big Trees client from Ohakune: "Easy Big Trees has always looked after me and I thank you for being patient this time around too. I will always be happy to recommend your business to anyone."
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