The locals keep the tree “like their eyes”
An official ceremony where dignitaries and local residents gathered to solemnly pick fruit from the world’s oldest pear tree was held last week. The tree is still alive despite being 1100 years old.
The unique tree is located in the Şavşat region of Artvin in northeastern Turkey, in a small village at an altitude of about 2 thousand meters.
Its sturdy trunk with a diameter of 6.5 meters has defied time, and its fruits are as delicious as they were in the past, locals say.
Locals even claim that the 18.5 meter tall tree is between 1,500 and 2,000 years old.
Artvin Governor Yilmaz Doruk announced at the ceremony to reporters that they are working to officially classify it as a “historic tree,” a status that will help better preserve it. Documents have also been submitted to Guinness to identify the ancient plant.
“We’re glad to see it’s still bearing fruit after all these years,” shared Doruk. Artvin is home to around 70 different types of pears and the governor explained that they also have other century-old pear trees in the area. The regional governor also thanked the residents of the village, who have been keeping the tree “like their eyes” for a long time.
Professor Aydan Tufeccioglu from the Faculty of Forestry at Artvin Çoruh University reported that there are various cases of old trees and they came across a 610-year-old pear tree in Romania and another 410-year-old in the United States. He reported that their scientific research on this tree proved that it was indeed at least 1,100 years old.
“Anatolia is the homeland of the pear and we are delighted to find such an old tree. It will also serve as a genetic reference point for the scientific community,” he said. “Turkey is like a combined model of different ecosystems worldwide because of its species diversity. We have an important ecological example on our hands and it is our duty to protect it,” he concluded.
We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Another well-known fruit, which is in no way inferior to the biblical one and is also very useful, are pears. In addition to filling us with vitamins and everything necessary for health, they can keep us young for a longer time.
It is well known that free radicals are those harmful substances that attack cells, causing them to age. Pears are very rich in antioxidants, which means they are perfect for rejuvenation. This fruit is a great source of vitamin C, it is 13% of its content. It also contains vitamin K, which is an excellent source of health.
One of the most interesting uses of pears is against hangovers. To avoid a headache in the morning, drink a glass of pear juice.
Each pear contains approximately 6-7 grams of pure fiber in its composition, which is about 20% of the recommended daily intake. And the fiber in pears is in the form of pectin, which has been proven to reduce cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Regular consumption of pears improves the condition of the digestive tract, the skin, the immune system, thanks to the amazing nutrients in the composition.
If you often complain of indigestion and your belly is swollen, heavy and full of gas, do not hesitate to drink a juice of fresh pears or eat a whole pear – it contains pectin, which has a beneficial effect on digestion.
The pear is also one of the most delicious fruits and products used in cooking. Sweets, juices, fresh and exotic salads are prepared from it.
Photo: The tree in Shavshat, Artvin | AA
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