This small drought tolerate deciduous tree can grow up to 9 metres, although the canopy spread often exceeds the tree's height. It is often used as a rootstock for the pistachio nut, P. vera, something that alludes to this native specie's strength and ability to make the best of whatever the soil and climatic conditions are. It supposedly grows best in a sandy to stony alkaline soil, but it can be found on most soils throughout Southern Portugal, modern agriculture and fire are probably the main restrictions it faces. Whatever the conditions, it is worth planting, as there are few trees as tough as the Terebinth. Like its close relative, Pistacia lentiscus, we think of them as scrubby shrubs, but this is only because they were under-valued in the agricultural economy and had to make way for fruiting trees such as the olive, carob and almond, rarely were they allowed to mature. As the agricultural landscape was abandoned, we have hillsides packed with teenage Pistacia's, their day will come.