Umay Nine olive tree stands in Teos ancient city

The Umay Nine olive tree, located in the ancient city of Teos in the Seferihisar district of Izmir, stands as a significant living monument of Aegean history. Estimated to be approximately 1,800 years old, the tree continues to bear fruit despite its immense age.

The tree was officially named Umay Nine in 2018, drawing inspiration from the character of a wise Anatolian woman in Buket Uzuner’s novels and the mythological figure Umay Ana, who symbolizes fertility and protection in Turkish mythology. Experts note that the tree is among the oldest fruit-bearing olive trees in the world, having survived centuries of natural and historical shifts.