Frankincense trees are special because they do not need much soil or water to grow.
Frankincense trees can grow in rocks that have a high limestone content. Limestone is excellent at absorbing water so the frankincense trees can have water all year long if there was a good rain (especially after a monsoon).
Their roots also burrow deep in the rocks to be able to absorb the most water and this holds the frankincense trees firmly on the mountain side.
Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, February 19, 2015
Camels, especially the females love to forage the green leaves, blossoms and seeds of the frankincense tree. The most accessible frankincense trees are shaped by this foraging – they take on an umbrella appearance.
A research study over 3 years showed that the major detriment to the future of Boswellia sacra trees in Oman are the camels. They keep small trees from growing my foraging new growth close to the ground.
At the Oman Agricultural Department they have planted 3 sites with groves of frankincense trees for experimentation, but first they installed perimeter fences to protect the project from camel grazing.
Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, February 22, 2015
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