A thousand-year-old olive tree yesterday landed in Malta after it was “saved” from destruction in southern Italy eight years ago.

The tree was uprooted by a nursery that takes care of old trees needing to be removed from their natural habitat due to development in urban areas.

The 4.5-metre tree, which has a 2.5-metre-wide trunk, actually started off as three trees that then twisted around each other and became one.

Sherries Garden Centre managing director Joseph Xerri, who imported the tree, described it as a “work of art” probably unique in Malta.

It has already found a home at a private residence in the Burmarrad area.

Two other trees, its 400-year-old and 600-year-old “siblings”, have also been imported and will be kept at the centre until they too find a new home.

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