An ancient Sicilian olive tree worth €20,000 was delivered to Sherries Garden Centre in Burmarrad this morning, having been delivered from Catania.

This particular olive is three trees which, over the years, became one. It is 1,000 years old and has been bought to Malta for a private individual.

In the past, olive trees were planted in threes rather than in singles and as decades passed they became works of art following the sun, twisting with winds ang growing majestically.

Aged olives and carobs are no longer productive.

Such trees are known as specimen or secular because of their uniqueness, either from formation, age or both.

Their uplifting does not pose any environmental damage and while they have no vendible value when they are uplifted, they become more and more valuable after years of handling and forming, as it is not easy to keep them alive after they have been removed from the ground.

Their age is established by carbon dating.