TREE FACTS
COPAL TREE

COPAL TREE
BURSERA LANCIFOLIA

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The copal is a tree of the burseras family. There are more than 100 species distributed throughout the American continent and 80% of them are found in Mexico, mainly in the regions of Guerrero, Michoacán and Oaxaca.

This tree is characterized by its resinous bark, imparipinnate leaves from 2 to 3.5 cm, divided into small leaflets of 1 to 7 pairs, whitish and small flowers, and reddish fruits. The height of this tree can reach 8 meters.

Among the most incredible curiosities that we can observe in this species of tree is its resin, which is secreted from the interior of the copal, playing a fundamental role in the metabolism and ecology of this species. This oleoresin confers a defensive advantage against herbivores, parasites and pathogens due to its toxicity towards these predators.

On the other hand, this resin is curative, because when burned or boiled in tea it relieves respiratory diseases. It is also used to smudge, whose meaning is "to give aromatic smoke to something in order to purify it or to make it smell good", for which the copal resin is used for syncretic rites.

The study on this species is still in progress, however, botanical engineers have discovered that the age of a copal tree can be known thanks to its growth rings, which are distinguished as circular bands on the branches or the top, main trunk.

Irrigation, as for any other natural species, is essential, however, due to its development and the arid areas where it is found, it is important to respect latency times for optimal growth.

In the autumn and winter season, the copal enters a dormancy of 3 to 4 months. During that time, cuts are made to the branches in order to produce new trees. And, in spring and summer, when the tree is generating new leaves, drip irrigation should be carried out, providing each tree with between 20 and 25 liters of water for two days a week.