The agricultural region of Agiasos is characterized as an “arboreal area” since, with few exceptions, it is covered in trees. There are three consecutive areas named after the dominant tree species: the olive grove, chestnut grove, and pine forest. Among these areas lie the small cherry orchards of Agiasos, planted in the final years of the Ottoman rule, replacing many mulberry trees that were uprooted due to low demand for the silk they produced, while cherries, despite their high picking cost, were sought in the Mytilene market.

The cherry tree (Prunus avium L.) of the Rosaceae family is a large, notable tree, 10 to 20 meters high, with horizontal branches, elongated to oval leaves, pointed, serrated, and white flowers arranged in umbrella-like clusters. Its fruit is a round, red, sweet drupe, varying in size and shade, with a large seed. The cherry fruit is particularly juicy and abundant.

This cultivated tree thrives in cool, semi-mountainous valleys. It was introduced to Europe by Lucullus (117–56 BC), who named it “kerasos” after its place of origin, Kerasous in Pontus. However, it is believed that long before Lucullus, Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s successors, had brought cherries from Asia Minor to Macedonia as a sweet, juicy fruit that could be eaten fresh, without needing drying or cooking. Thus, cherries were likely known to the ancient Greeks well before the Romans, as early as the 3rd century BC.

As esteemed researchers have discovered, cherries contain many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that reduce muscle damage, as well as abundant anthocyanins that offer significant health benefits. Cherries are also beneficial for eye health due to their vitamin A content. The pink cherry wood, with its fine grain, is used in cabinetry.

Warm thanks to Mr. Skordas Panagiotis, Koromilas Dimitris and Koutskoudi Panagiotis and the Agiasos Reading Room for their valuable help.