Terebinth (turpentine tree) Pistacia terebinthus
Terebinth (turpentine tree) (Pistacia terebinthus) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Mediterranean basin to Iran. It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
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Terebinth (turpentine tree) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruits (roasted or pressed; Cyprus and Turkey), resin (Chios-style mastic substitute) |
| Native to | Mediterranean basin to Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Terebinth (turpentine tree) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Terebinth (turpentine tree)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Terebinth (turpentine tree)
- How far apart should I plant Terebinth (turpentine tree)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Terebinth (turpentine tree) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Terebinth (turpentine tree) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Terebinth (turpentine tree)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Terebinth (turpentine tree) flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Terebinth (turpentine tree) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Terebinth (turpentine tree)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Terebinth (turpentine tree). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
- Flora of Israel Online, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- A wild relative of the pistachio with resinous pinnate leaves that turn red in autumn and clusters of small red fruits; insects cause curious horn-shaped galls on the leaves. Its resin was the original turpentine; in Turkey the roasted fruits are made into a coffee-like drink (menengiç).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis