Citrus trees under cultivation normally do not exceed 100 to 125 years at the outside. However, an ancient Sour Orange tree, that is still growing in the Catholic Convent of Saint Sabina's in Rome, Italy which is thought to have been planted by Saint Dominic in the year 1200, in now 806 years old. The tree was examined by Gallo in 1559 and found to be healthy. In 1646 Ferrari visited the convent and also examine the old tree, which was 446 years old at the time. Tanara examined the tree in 1700 and Girogio Galesio the famous nature artists, and painter of plants and fruits went to see and draw the Saint Sabina tree in 1811. Gallesio stated that the tree was still living when he examined it, although it had been frozen down in 1709, but regrew a new top from the ancient roots. Tolkowsky in 1935, examined the tree and stated: "---to this day the monks of Saint Sabina distribute the fruit, and even leaves, to pilgrims." A prominent member of the Dominican Order said that a new branch grew from the old trunk in the year 1841 in which Lacordaire re-established the Dominican Order in France. Dr. Herbert Webber, professor Emeritas of Subtropical Horticulture, Citrus Experiment Station at the University of California, and author of the book"The Citrus Industry", carefully examined the tree, and remarked, " while it is obvious that the present trunk is not the original one, the root is undoubtedly of great age, and in view of the extraordinary care with which the monks look after it, it is altogether very possible that the root should be the actual survival of a tree originally planted in Saint Dominic's time." In 1880 the Dominican Sisters took a cutting from the tree and rooted it. The rooted cutting was brought with the Dominican Sisters to the United States when they opened a new Convent in New Jersey. The rooted cutting has been grown in New Jersey as a containerized tree, for the last 126 years. On August 14, 2006 Sister Mary Cathairne sent me two seeds from the old tree. Three days ago on September 2, 2006 the first of the two seeds germinated. My Sour Orange seedling, is a direct descendent from the tree planted by Saint Dominic in the year 1200, and is now growing in my greenhouse. I have great hope that the second seed will also germinate. I intend to dedicate the seedling to Saint Dominic, and grow it with great care. - Millet

Congratulations. Sounds like you have something very special there, Millet. Have you considered travelling to NJ to get a piece of the original? A clone of that historic tree would be even more special.

Thanks for posting the wonderful story Millet!

I hope the seedlings grow well for you. A monastery in CA is also growing a cutting or seedling from the St. Dominic orange. I saved the story in my file...somewhere!

Here is a similar one for St. Anthony:

...A white squall struck their vessel, and it was cast upon the Sicilian shore. Anthony and Filippo landed at Taormina, and at once made their way to Messina, where there was a convent of the Friars Minor. Here for two months the young friars reposed; here health and strength returned to Anthony, and he entered upon a new lease of life. Here, in the convent garden, he planted a lemon tree that flourishes to this hour; for, like the orange tree planted by St. Dominic at Santa Sabina on the Aventine, time can not wither it; and every succeeding year bud, blossom and fruit give testimony to its eternal youth.

From the Book, SAINT ANTHONY THE WONDER WORKER OF PADUA
by Charles Warren Stoddard, TAN Books, 1971

How cool is that!!! You must be proud to have been given the care of these seeds to nurture! Can't wait to see some pics

I have been planning for some time to visit Rome and take some pictures of this tree for a page on my citrus website.
In the meantime, I have 'borrowed' a couple of photos I found on the web.
http://www.homecitrusgrowers.co.uk/temp/StDominicsOrange.html

September 7, 2006 the second seed that Sister Mary Catharine sent me from the 126 year old New Jersey tree (clone/rooted cutting of the Saint Sabina tree) has germinated. Citrange, I have seen the picture that you posted of the 800 year old Saint Sabina tree before. Thank you for taking the time to post it. I have been to Rome several times, but at those times I did not know of the old tree. - Millet

Most interesting posts, thanks to Millet, & all of you, for sharing this knowledge.

I found the article I referenced above.

A seedling from the St. Dominic Orange in Rome was moved from Corpus Christi Monastery in Menlo Park, CA to Mission San Jose, then to St. Albert's Priory in Oakland and then transplanted once more in the Bay Area! It produced fruit in 1997. Notice the statement, .." when a branch was taken to a good local nursery, the horticulturist was amazed. He noted that it had to be originally from a very old, even ancient ungrafted tree"!! This tree was a seedling!!!

http://sap.opwest.org/legend_ot.htm