Working on Mastic Tree bonsai.
Pistacia lentiscus is native to the Mediterranean Basin. It grows up to 4 m tall and is cultivated for its aromatic resin, mainly on the Greek island of Chios and around the Turkish town of Çeşme. [Wikipedia]
The mastic gum is also used medicinally to treat various digestive ailments. This tree specifically was from Israel.
This species also got some biblical significance, from FlowersInIsrael .com:
The Hebrew name: אלה, elâh, used for the Pistacia is and like that of the oak, stems from the Hebrew el (God), associated with strenght and sturdiness.
The Valley of "Elah", where David went and killed the giant Goliath (I Samuel 17:2-49), received its name from the Pistacia trees growing there.
30 сен 2022