Mastic Tree
Pistacia lentiscus
A bomb-proof evergreen shrub for hot, dry, exposed edges — it clips into hedges, resprouts after fire and yields fragrant mastic resin. Slow but nearly unkillable.
Mastic Tree in a syntropic line
Mastic Tree belongs in the Shrub layer as a Climax species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 1.8 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Carob tree, Casuarina, Common sage. As a Climax species it is meant to stay for the long term — protect its light and root space as pioneers fade.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Climax
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -7°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Tough evergreen shrub for windbreaks, hedges and understory edges; cuts and resprouts strongly, including after fire. Light irrigation speeds early establishment but is not needed once mature.
How to propagate
Scarify seed lightly and soak before sowing in spring.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Slow to establish and can suffer leaf/stem damage below about -7C when young; dioecious, so only female plants bear the resin-tapped fruit/mastic and a male nearby helps fruiting.
Frequently asked questions about Mastic Tree
Is mastic tree frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -7°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does mastic tree need?
It does best on rocky, sandy ground, at pH about 6–8.5.
How much water does mastic tree need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can mastic tree handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — mastic tree has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with mastic tree?
Slow to establish and can suffer leaf/stem damage below about -7C when young; dioecious, so only female plants bear the resin-tapped fruit/mastic and a male nearby helps fruiting.
Mastic Tree in soil templates
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