The team has completed the October 2016 analysis of the frankincense growing region. Our findings are very troubling. The trees appear to be in rapid decline due to overuse. We observed:
-Overcutting. Trees should have no more than 6-12 cuts. We observed trees with 120 cuts.
-Bark stripping
-Double harvesting. The trees need to be rested every other year and only harvested for 6 months out of the year. We found that trees are being harvested continually throughout the year, all year round.
-Harvesting of immature trees.
-Rapid tree mortality.
Our findings are summarized in our Major Findings report, here: