20.09.2025 18:29
The number of mastic trees, which only grow on the Çeşme Peninsula in Turkey and had reached a stage where they could be considered 'extinct' a while ago, has now reached 100,000 thanks to recent efforts. The product obtained from the mastic tree, known as the "tree that drips gold," is priced at 20,000 lira per kilogram.
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The mastic gum obtained from the mastic tree, which is known to grow only on the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea and in the Çeşme peninsula in İzmir, is used in various fields such as medicine, food, and cosmetics.
THE NUMBER OF "GOLDEN DROPPING TREES" INCREASED 100 TIMES IN 15 YEARS Due to its commercial value, the mastic tree, known as the "golden dropping tree," saw its population in Turkey decline to about 1,000 trees in 2010.
To preserve the tree, which has a history of thousands of years and to provide commercial benefits, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, local governments, and producers have carried out efforts to increase the number of trees.
Since the mastic tree does not grow from seeds, saplings produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry were planted in areas damaged by forest fires and distributed to landowning producers. Thus, the number of mastic trees, which was around 1,000 in the city in 2010, has now exceeded 100,000.
HARVESTING IS QUITE DIFFICULT The mastic gum on the tree is harvested through various processes. Producers spread lime under the mastic trees in June. Then, incisions are made on the trunk of the mastic tree, allowing the tree's sap to accumulate on the lime. The sap that accumulates drop by drop crystallizes on the lime. The solidified sap is separated from the lime. The harvesting process, created by the flowing drops, continues until September.
USED AS BOTH MEDICINAL AND FLAVORING AGENT Mustafa Şahin, the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, stated that the mastic tree is an ancient plant of Anatolia, used historically in medicine and as a flavoring agent in food. Şahin expressed that efforts are ongoing to meet the demand for mastic gum in Turkey, saying, "The geographical indication for Çeşme mastic gum has been obtained, and work is also continuing to obtain a geographical indication from the European Union. We use it both medicinally and as a flavoring agent, and it is also at an advanced level in the pharmaceutical industry. Our goal is to meet our own needs and to make efforts for it to be exported. Currently, our production is far below our needs, and we have forgotten this ancient plant for a while. We are aware that mastic gum is a valuable product." he said.
20,000 LIRA PER KILOGRAM Şahin noted that significant success has been achieved in the number of mastic trees in İzmir, stating that the number of planted trees has increased from about 1,000 to 100,000 in 15 years, and added: "Our citizens prefer mastic for the use of their idle lands. Our General Directorate of Forestry is also conducting afforestation studies with mastic trees that generate significant income in burned areas. Currently, there is an annual production of 200-250 kilograms of mastic. This production needs to exceed 5 tons. The goal in mastic production is to meet our needs and subsequently export the products obtained from here. The mastic tree grows without needing water. We are working to evaluate our vacant areas and to ensure the proliferation of a plant that shows significant resistance to drought. Mastic harvesting is done through a difficult method. One kilogram of mastic is obtained from 3 developed trees. When we consider this as raw material, it is around 20,000 lira per kilogram. It provides a good income."
THE EXCITEMENT OF THE FIRST HARVEST Musa Yalçın, who produces mastic in the Ovacık neighborhood of Çeşme district, stated that he received training at the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to grow mastic gum and planted 70 mastic trees on his 3-decare land 6 years ago.
Yalçın explained that he will harvest for the first time this year and obtain 13 kilograms of mastic, saying, "By planting mastic trees on idle land, you make it productive. Since the mastic tree does not need water, we also conserve water." he stated.
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