Pistacia lentiscus - Mastic Tree

The Pistacia lentiscus, also known as mastic tree, is a beautiful evergreen bush, somewhat dark and quite varied in form, punctuating the landscapes that border the Mediterranean with its dark and dense mass. It never really strays far from the sea, which provides its young plants with the winter warmth they need to become sturdy subjects. Once well-established, poor, arid, soils, wind, scorching sun or even the thick shade of green oaks or pines will not overcome its quiet strength. Its unique personality shines through in its dense habit, small foliage cut into tough dark green leaflets, and the powerful balsamic and herbaceous scent of the amber resin that its bark hides like a treasure. The mastic tree is a reliable bush, reaching a venerable age, essential for the composition of the permanent structure of the garden in mild climates.

The Pistacia lentiscus is a bush of the anacardiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin, from North Africa to the Mediterranean Europe, and to Israel. In France, it is found in Corsica, but also along a wide border along the Mediterranean, and up to Charente-Maritime. In the wild it grows on rocky slopes, deeply rooted in the poor soils of garrigues and scrub vegetation, also evergreen forests, in dry climates with mild winters. It reaches an average height of 2m (6.6ft) and a spread of 3m (9.8ft) and shows a dense, generally rounded, spreading, branched and sturdy construction. Depending whether it is exposed to the wind or sheltered, it will form large ground cover or a large bush over 3m (9.8ft) in height. Its foliage is divided into an even number of small oval and tough leaflets, not exceeding 3cm (1.2in) in length and 1.5cm (0.6in) in width. The young leaves are light green in spring, dark in summer. In winter, under the effect of cold, they take on pretty violet or bronze shades. The green flowers, from March to May, are quite insignificant and followed, on pollinated female subjects, by numerous small, edible, red fruits grouped in quite decorative clusters which turn black when ripe. Fresh seeds, harvested in winter, germinate quite easily in spring.

Relatively easy to grow, the Pistacia lentiscus dislikes cold winters, especially when young. A well-established subject, 4 or 5 years old, will be able to withstand brief frosts of around -12 to -15°C (10.4 to 5°F). As it tolerates sea spray, it can be planted by the seaside. Like the bay laurel, strawberry trees, myrtles, and Pittosporum truncatum, it is perfect for creating permanent structure in the garden. In a natural hedge, it can also be associated with cotinus or deciduous euonymus with superb autumn colours. Its dark foliage creates interesting contrasts with shrubs with grey foliage (Artemisia ludoviciana, Buddleia Silver Anniversary, Gomphostigma virgatum White Candy), bluish (Eucalyptus gunii), yellow (Phyllostachys aurea, Sambucus nigra Golden Tower), or the variegated pink foliage of the corkscrew willow (in cooler soil). Also cultivate this mastic tree in the understory, with Phlomis samia, acanthus, Bupleurum fruticosum, or Choisya ternata.

The mastic tree has been used since ancient times for the amber resin it exudes when the bark of its trunk is cut. This resin, when exposed to air, solidifies into a mastic used for its proven antiseptic properties, particularly in dental care. The most sought-after mastic comes from trees native to the Aegean Sea, especially from the island of Chios. The wood of this bush is pink or ochre, veined with yellow. It is used in cabinetmaking and carpentry. It is also a good firewood that produces excellent charcoal. The nut looks a lot like a pistachio and can be eaten raw. It is more often used in the production of a confectionery called masticha in Arab countries.