In 1494, 1600 and 1709, frost destroyed almost all the olive groves, perhaps a consequence of the Little Ice Age, which affected Switzerland and Europe at that time. Subsequently, the olive tree lost its importance and was partly replaced by the mulberry tree in the Lugano and Mendrisiotto regions. The breeding of silkworms became a more important source of income in Ticino. Nevertheless, olive cultivation, along with mulberry, lemon and orange, is reported and described by travellers from northern Switzerland in the late 18th and early 19th century. It can therefore be deduced that the southern slopes of Monte Brè, San Salvatore, Arbostora and various other locations, were still populated by vast olive groves at that time. In the 20th century, olive cultivation nearly disappeared. Olive oil was only produced in Gandria, in minute quantities.
