Wadi Dawkah, the Frankincense trees sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the Southernest point of Oman, Salalah provides the ideal environment for the growth and preservation of Frankincense Trees. Every day, thousands of frankincense trees witness a new sunrise on the lands of a protected sanctuary: the Wadi Dawkah UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Site is home to over 4000 Frankincense producing trees. Frankincense is harvested by hand, a highly-codified craft which has barely changed since it was first practised in ancient times. The harvesters at Wadi Dawkah are Omani employees who possess deep knowledge of the craft. The first step consists in tapping the tree – making an incision in the tree’s bark over a few centimetres to release an aromatic, milky sap. The resin, forming droplets – the frankincense’s tears – hardens upon exposure to the air. Small incisions are made in the lowest third of the tree where resin accumulates. After the harvest, the resin is cleaned by hand to remove any remaining grains of sand and pieces of wood.