Terebinth
Pistacia terebinthus
A tough, slow-growing maquis native prized as pistachio rootstock and resin/wildlife shrub. Thrives on neglect in dry, rocky ground, but needs a partner of the other sex to fruit.
Terebinth in a syntropic line
Terebinth belongs in the Medium layer as a Secondary productive species. The productive heart — most of your yield lives here. Rough in-row spacing starts around 5 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Bladder senna, Casuarina. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Medium
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 6.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -12°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Hardy maquis shrub/small tree valued for resin, wildlife forage, and as pistachio rootstock; very drought-tolerant once established. Needs minimal pruning; remove damaged wood only.
How to prune
Leave this maquis shrub largely alone through winter; remove only damaged, dead or broken wood. It naturally holds a dense multi-stem form that needs no formal shaping, and heavy cutting isn't necessary or desired.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring; slow to establish but reliable from seed.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Dioecious - needs both a male and female plant nearby for fruit/resin set. Very slow growing, so plant it early as a long-term anchor, not for quick yield.
Frequently asked questions about Terebinth
Is terebinth frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -12°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 terebinth need?
It does best on rocky, sandy ground, at pH about 6.5–8.5.
How much water does terebinth need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can terebinth handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — terebinth has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with terebinth?
Dioecious - needs both a male and female plant nearby for fruit/resin set. Very slow growing, so plant it early as a long-term anchor, not for quick yield.
Design your line to see how your land fits Terebinth.
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