Olive trees have defined Italian landscapes, culture, and cuisine for thousands of years. With nearly eight hundred native cultivars, the appearance of the trees and the characteristics of their olives vary widely from one region to the next. This breathtaking biodiversity is part of what makes Italian olive oil so extraordinary. It may also be what saves Italy’s olive trees despite growing threats related to the global climate crisis.

In southern Italy, olive trees have been lost to drought, disease, wildfires, and fruit flies, while in northern Italy, they have been ravaged by floods and hailstorms. The loss of each olive tree represents a threat to Italy’s agricultural and cultural traditions, so olive producers across the peninsula are seeking out creative solutions to protect ancient trees, plant new ones, and celebrate the country’s many cultivars.