Olibanum Tree

Basic Information

Common Name: Olibanum Tree
Scientific Name: Boswellia carteri
Native Habitat: Primarily native to the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia) and the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Oman). It thrives in arid, rocky environments, often found on steep slopes and cliffs.

History / Discovery / Cultivator

The history of the Olibanum Tree, or Boswellia carteri (though Boswellia sacra is often the primary source in Oman and Yemen, and Boswellia carteri is commonly associated with Somali frankincense, the historical use spans species), is deeply intertwined with the history of human civilization itself. For millennia, its fragrant resin, known as frankincense, has been one of the most prized commodities on Earth. Its use dates back at least 5,000 years, if not longer, playing a central role in religious ceremonies, medicinal practices, and perfumery across ancient cultures from Egypt and Mesopotamia to Greece and Rome.

The Egyptians were particularly fervent users of frankincense. They burned it during religious rituals, used it for embalming, incorporated it into cosmetics and perfumes, and even consumed it medicinally. Pharaoh Hatshepsut, around 1500 BCE, famously sent an expedition to the Land of Punt (likely modern-day Somalia or Eritrea) to acquire frankincense trees, which were then transplanted back to Egypt – one of the earliest recorded attempts at cultivating this specific plant in a non-native environment. This highlights the value placed on securing a stable supply of the resin.

Control of the frankincense trade routes was a source of immense wealth and power. The legendary Incense Route, stretching from the growing regions in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa across the desert to the Mediterranean, facilitated the transport of frankincense and myrrh. Cities like Petra in modern-day Jordan and Palmyra in Syria flourished as key trading hubs along this route, their prosperity built upon the flow of these precious aromatic resins. The Nabataeans, based in Petra, were particularly adept at controlling this trade for centuries.

While specific “cultivators” in the modern sense are hard to pinpoint historically, the harvesting of frankincense has always been a carefully managed process, often passed down through generations within specific tribes or communities in the native regions. The practice of “tapping” the tree – making incisions in the bark to allow the resin to bleed out and harden – requires specific knowledge and skill to ensure the tree’s long-term survival and continued resin production. Sustainable harvesting practices were likely developed through centuries of observation and necessity, although in recent times, over-tapping due to increased demand has become a significant threat to wild populations.

The scientific classification and study of the Boswellia genus came much later, within the framework of modern botany. However, the plant itself and its product were well-known and utilized globally long before any formal scientific description. The term “Olibanum” itself derives from Arabic words relating to milk, referring to the milky sap that flows from the tree before hardening into resin.

Today, while the scale of the ancient Incense Route may be diminished, frankincense remains a sought-after commodity, used in incense, essential oils, natural medicine, and perfumery. The cultivation of Boswellia species, including B. carteri, is still primarily concentrated in its native harsh, arid environments, a testament to the plant’s remarkable adaptation to these challenging conditions and its enduring cultural and economic significance.

Plant Care Summary

Botanical Insights

Adaptations

Boswellia carteri is remarkably adapted to survive and thrive in the harsh, arid environments of the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Its most notable adaptation is its ability to produce copious amounts of resin when injured. This resin serves a protective function, sealing wounds in the bark to prevent water loss and protect against pathogens and herbivores in its dry climate. The tree’s thick bark and shallow root system also help it quickly absorb any infrequent rainfall and store water, while its deciduous nature allows it to shed leaves during extreme drought to conserve moisture. The tree’s preference for growing in rocky, nutrient-poor substrates minimizes competition from other plant species less suited to such conditions.

Propagation Methods

Propagating Boswellia carteri can be challenging. The most reliable method is typically from fresh, viable seeds, which should be sown in a well-draining sandy or gritty mix. Germination can be slow and erratic. Stem cuttings are possible but often difficult to root successfully, requiring high heat, specific timing, and careful management of moisture to prevent rot. Air layering is sometimes attempted on mature branches but is also not a guaranteed method. Due to these difficulties, propagation for commercial purposes often still relies heavily on seed or, in some cases, wild harvesting or cultivation in its native range.

Toxicology

The Olibanum Tree (Boswellia carteri, often used interchangeably in discussions with Boswellia sacra as a source of frankincense) is generally considered non-toxic. The resin extracted from the bark, known as frankincense, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, religious ceremonies, and as an aromatic. It is commonly used in essential oils, inhaled, applied topically, and sometimes ingested in small quantities, and is widely regarded as safe for humans and common pets like cats and dogs when used appropriately. While ingesting large amounts of any plant material can potentially cause mild digestive upset, there are no known significant toxic compounds in the Boswellia tree or its resin that pose a serious threat to humans or animals. Symptoms of ingestion would likely be limited to minor stomach irritation.

Common Problems

Pests:

• Scale insects (can appear as bumps on stems and leaves)
• Spider mites (especially in dry, indoor environments, causing fine webbing and leaf discoloration)
• Mealybugs (cottony masses in leaf axils and on stems)

Diseases:

• Root rot (caused by overwatering, leading to wilting, yellowing leaves, and soft base)
• Fungal leaf spots (less common, but can occur in overly humid or wet conditions)

Other:

• Leaf drop (common response to stress from temperature changes, over/underwatering, or insufficient light)
• Slow or no growth (often due to insufficient light, improper watering, or poor soil drainage)
• Failure to produce resin (typically requires maturity and specific ‘tapping’ techniques)

Rarity & Value

Rarity:

While Boswellia carteri exists in its native range, mature, resin-producing trees are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Factors contributing to rarity include habitat degradation, climate change affecting arid regions, and, most significantly, unsustainable over-tapping for resin extraction. Slow growth rates and challenging propagation methods outside of ideal conditions also make cultivating large, mature specimens difficult, contributing to the perceived rarity of established trees outside their native habitats. Specific, high-quality resin varieties harvested from particular locations or species (like Boswellia sacra in Oman’s Dhofar region) are considered rarer and more valuable than others.

Value:

The value of an Olibanum Tree specimen is primarily tied to its potential for producing frankincense resin and its maturity/health. Large, well-established trees capable of being tapped command a higher value. Location and provenance (whether it’s a wild-harvested tree or cultivated, and from which region) can also influence value, especially for resin quality. For collectors or enthusiasts growing the tree as an ornamental or botanical curiosity, value might be based on the plant’s size, age, form, and overall health, though this is a niche market compared to the global resin trade. The market value of the harvested frankincense resin itself varies greatly depending on the Boswellia species, the grade of the resin, its purity, and current market demand.