This Old Tree
Old trees are awe inspiring links to the past that fire our imagination. What are their stories? Seasoned arborist and amateur historian Doug Still interviews local experts, historians, and regular folks to celebrate the myths and uncover the real tales. If you're a tree lover, join in to look "beyond the plaque" at heritage trees and the human stories behind them. Monthly.
This Old Tree
S'Ozzastru and the Ancient Olive Trees of Sardinia
Some trees are old — and then there's S’Ozzastru. Nestled near the village of Luras on the island of Sardinia, this ancient olive tree has stood for nearly 4,000 years. Also known as "The Great Patriarch" or "The Patriarch of Nature," the bronze age tree is a living witness to the rise and fall of civilizations.
How has it endured for millennia? Who, across the centuries, has found shelter beneath its branches? And will the millennial olive trees of Sardinia continue to survive?
Join us as we travel to the heart of the Mediterranean in search of secrets to one of the world’s oldest living trees. 🌿
Guests
Anna Maria Corda
Tour Guide, Olivastri di Millenari di Luras
Luras, Sardinia, Italy
Marco Campus
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia
Fabio Piras
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia
Gianluigi Pili
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia
Emanuele Cauli
Agronomist, AGRIS
Progetto Olivi Montiferru
Oristano, Sardinia
Music
Launeddas - Luigi Lai
Cantu a tenore vocals - Su Dillu
Songs from "S'arreppicu," Luigi Lai
Ripsosa pippiu
Fiorassiu in la (danza)
Goccius a Santu Idiu
S'arrepicu
Reading
Elias Portolu by Grazia Deledda
Translated by Kevan Houser
Guest Reader
Manuela Buonanno
Other References
International Olive Council website
"Why the Mediterranean is a Climate Change Hotspot," MIT News
Special thanks to
Ed Nardell
Cristiana and Valerio, B&B Archè
Theme Music
Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.com
Artwork
Dahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/home
Website
thisoldtree.show
Transcripts available.
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This Old Tree podcast is a sponsored project of New England ISA. To support This Old Tree and New England ISA, click here.
We want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a ~4 or 5 minute audio story for consideration for an upcoming episode of "Tree Story Shorts" on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to:
doug@thisoldtree.net
This episode was written in part at LitArts RI, a community organization and co-working space that supports Rhode Island's creators.
litartsri.org
