Jordan is on a mission to save its ancient olive trees

Ali Saleh owns a farm in the Ajlun Governorate that includes the oldest olive trees in Jordan. Photo: AFP

Every morning, Jordanian farmer Ali Saleh Atta swallows two cloves of garlic with a cup of olive oil before heading out to check on his ancient olive trees.

“These trees represent the history of Jordan,” said the 84-year-old man, looking at the 2,000-year-old trees whose enormous gnarled trunks hoist up branches with delicate, pale green leaves.