Olivewood

(Olea europaea)

Mediterranean

The growth range of the species is widely cultivated in sub-tropical areas of Europe, Africa and the Middle East mainly for its olives. Olivewood is native to coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean region, from Syria and the maritime parts of Asia Minor to patchy areas of Northern Iran and the Southern Caspian (Manjil and Roodbar).

The olive tree is the oldest known cultivated tree in history. Olives were first cultivated in Africa, and then spread to Morocco, Algiers, and Tunisia by the Phoenicians. Olea europaea was first cultivated in Crete and Syria over 5000 years ago. Around 600 BC olive tree cultivation spread to Greece, Italy and other Mediterranean countries.

This exotic wood is hard, heavy and strong. It is a beautiful yellowish colored wood with dark grain patterns and sometimes streaks or swirls of brilliant red, tan, brown, and black. Olive Wood is a straighter grain while the Burl has very unusual grain pattern.