Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

'Leaf' it to history. Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Ancient yet vibrant, twisted yet resilient, olive trees can live for over a thousand years. Even when scarred or hollowed, their trunks still send out fresh leaves each season—a living record of survival through drought, wind and fire. Cultivated by humans for a millennia, olives have carried both practical and symbolic weight through the ages: their oil was pressed for anointing, medicine and daily sustenance; crowns of their leaves graced Olympic victors; and their branches became a lasting emblem of peace.

Today's image features the olive groves of Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana, a landscape where ancient trees twist through terraces of stone and sun. Nestled in the Balearic Sea, the Spanish island embodies this long story, flourishing with groves that have stood for centuries. Some trees across the island are older than its medieval cathedrals. Here, olives are gently picked, pressed within hours and transformed into an oil prized for its fruity, almond and herbal notes. Each harvest continues a legacy: the fruit nourishes, the wood fuels fires and the roots stabilize steep slopes. Across millennia, these companions of civilisation have witnessed our progress as we witness their endurance—remaining unyielding, persistent and remarkably green.