Mastic Tree: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Care
Botanical Profile
The mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), a broadleaf evergreen belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, is renowned for its shrublike appearance, sticky sap, and exceptional drought tolerance. Native to the Mediterranean region, this tree thrives in high-heat, arid, rocky climates with low humidity.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Mastic trees require full sun to flourish and produce abundant gum.
- Soil: The ideal soil for mastic trees is dry, sandy, and well-draining. Amend heavy soils with sand and perlite to improve drainage and texture.
- pH: Mastic trees prefer alkaline soil. Test your soil’s pH and amend it if necessary.
- Climate: These trees are well-suited to USDA hardiness zones 9-11, which mimic their native Mediterranean climate characterized by high heat, low humidity, and dry conditions.
Care and Maintenance
Watering:
- Water young, newly planted mastic trees regularly to establish a strong root system.
- As the tree matures, reduce watering frequency and only water deeply when the soil is warm, dry, and well-absorbed.
- Drip irrigation is an effective method of delivering the appropriate amount of water.
Fertilizing:
- Apply a slow-release, all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer annually in the spring when new growth emerges.
- The nutrient-poor soil conditions preferred by mastic trees benefit from this additional nourishment.
Pruning:
- Prune mastic trees in the winter months when they are dormant.
- Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or dying branches (the “four D’s”) first.
- Make structural cuts to create space, allow air circulation, and encourage proper growth.
- Shape the tree as desired, whether into a rounded canopy, an ornamental bonsai, or a more traditional tree form.
Propagation
- Propagate mastic trees vegetatively using hardwood cuttings.
- Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in well-draining, aerated soil.
- Keep the cuttings in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are ready to be planted in the ground.
Common Issues
Yellowing Leaves:
- Yellowing leaves indicate overwatering. Reduce watering frequency and observe if the problem resolves.
Growing Out of Control:
- Mastic trees can become unruly if not properly pruned. Regular pruning is essential to maintain the desired shape and prevent excessive growth.
Stickiness:
- Mastic trees produce a sticky resin called gum mastic that leaks from the bark. This resin has numerous commercial uses.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Mastic trees are known for their pest and disease resistance.
- They have a long lifespan, with some trees living for over 100 years.
- Harvesting gum mastic involves carefully making incisions in the tree’s bark, allowing the resin to flow out and harden.
- Mastic trees can be trained to grow as bonsai specimens, creating miniature versions of their larger counterparts.
- These trees are relatively easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to landscapes in suitable climates.
