Pistacia lentiscusMastic Tree

The Pistacia lentiscus, commonly known as the Mastic Tree or Lentisk, is a dense evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean basin, forming a rounded mass of glossy, leathery, pinnate leaves with a resinous scent when crushed. Small reddish flower spikes are followed by berries ripening from red to black.

It is a foundation species of Mediterranean scrub and one of the most reliable evergreen screening shrubs for hot, dry, alkaline sites. It clips well, takes coastal exposure and can be lifted into a small multi-stemmed tree where more height is wanted.

Specifications

• Height2 to 4 metres as a shrub, occasionally to 6 metres when lifted to a small tree
• Width2 to 4 metres
• Native toThe Mediterranean basin, from Portugal and Morocco east to the Levant
• FoliageGlossy dark green leathery pinnate leaves, aromatic and resinous when crushed; evergreen
• Growth rateSlow to moderate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers well-drained sandy, gravelly or rocky soils; tolerates poor, shallow and strongly alkaline ground
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterLow; strongly drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in Mediterranean, arid and semi-arid regions with hot dry summers; tolerates light frost

Additional Features

• FormDense rounded evergreen mass, holding foliage to ground level and clipping well into hedges
• FlowersSmall dense reddish flower spikes in spring, followed by berries ripening red to black
• UsesEvergreen screening and hedging, Mediterranean and dryland shrub mass, coastal shelter planting, car park and median beds
• SpacingPlant 1.5 to 2 metres apart for a clipped hedge, or 2.5 to 3 metres for informal mass planting
• Low MaintenanceClips readily and regenerates from old wood; no routine feeding or spraying required
• Pest ResistanceNotably resistant to pests and diseases, one of the toughest evergreens in its range
• Drought ToleranceVery high once established, surviving long dry summers on natural rainfall in its native range
• Salt ToleranceTolerates coastal salt wind and moderately saline soils
• Wildlife AttractionBerries are taken heavily by birds through autumn and winter
• FragranceFoliage and resin carry the characteristic mastic scent when crushed or pruned

The Mastic Tree is the dependable evergreen backbone of a Mediterranean or Gulf dryland shrub scheme, and it will take clipping, salt and drought without complaint.