Ever since visiting Italy I've loved olive and mulberry trees, especially old gnarled ones. Therefore, to discover similar trees growing at Churchill Island was a delight. These trees were planted in 1880 by Samuel Amess, with advice from his friend Ferdinand von Mueller -- of Melbourne Botanic Garden's fame.
Twisted limbs and knobbly bark suggest trees of a ripe old age. Supports have been necessary to strengthen some of the branches, but they live on, bearing fruit and delighting visitors to Churchill Island.
The white mulberry and common olive are listed on the Significant Trees Historic Register.
To feel the aged bark beneath my fingers and to gaze up into the twisted branches gives me a feeling of timelessness, and a strong feel of the life force the tree.
Ever since visiting Italy I've loved olive and mulberry trees, especially old gnarled ones.Online Plant Nursery
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