Is Palo Santo endangered? Understanding the stakes of its preservation in Peru
Palo Santo, also known as "sacred wood", is much more than a simple aromatic wood. Native to South America, particularly Peru and Ecuador, it is prized for its woody, slightly lemony scent, as well as for the spiritual traditions and smudging rituals with which it is associated. But behind this small stick of wood lies a far more complex reality. Palo Santo comes from a tree that grows naturally in the dry forests of South America, fragile ecosystems whose balance depends on many plant and animal species. With the growing popularity of Palo Santo worldwide, an essential question arises: is Palo Santo endangered?
The answer is yes, in certain regions, and notably in Peru, where the species Bursera graveolens benefits from a particularly high level of protection. But this does not mean that every use or sale of Palo Santo is necessarily incompatible with its preservation.
It all depends on its origin, the harvesting conditions, compliance with regulations and the traceability of the wood. At Veegreen, we wanted to understand these issues directly at their source. So we travelled to northern Peru, to the Piura region, to meet the communities who have known and worked with Palo Santo for generations.
This journey allowed us to discover its natural environment, the different stages of its transformation and the human realities behind this material.
Watch our report from Peru
The natural environment of Palo Santo: the dry forests of South America
Palo Santo, whose botanical name is Bursera graveolens, grows naturally in various regions of South America. In Peru, it is found notably in the dry tropical forests of the north of the country. Contrary to the image one sometimes has of a tropical forest, this environment does not resemble a dense, humid jungle.
The landscapes are often arid, with dry soils, rocky terrain and vegetation adapted to long periods without rain. During our journey in the Piura region, we discovered these particular landscapes, where trees must cope with sometimes harsh climatic conditions.
A tree adapted to a fragile ecosystem
Palo Santo is one of the species capable of thriving in this environment. Like the other trees of the dry forest, it contributes to the functioning of an ecosystem in which every element has its importance. Trees help protect the soil and provide resources or habitats for various animal species. The preservation of Palo Santo therefore concerns more than just the availability of its aromatic wood.
Protecting Palo Santo also means protecting the dry forests in which it grows and the biodiversity that comes with them.
Why is time so important for Palo Santo?
Palo Santo is a natural resource whose production depends on biological cycles that cannot be accelerated at will. The tree must first grow and develop in its environment. In authorised Peruvian supply chains, the wood intended for harvesting comes from naturally dead trees, fallen branches and woody residues whose collection is regulated. Local professionals pay close attention to the condition of the wood and its aromatic characteristics. Its natural scent is notably linked to the aromatic compounds present in the material.
This is why Palo Santo cannot be considered a simple industrial raw material, available without limits. Its harvesting depends directly on the availability of the resource in its natural environment.
Is Palo Santo really an endangered species?
This is a question that raises many doubts. We sometimes read that Palo Santo is not threatened, while other sources claim it is close to disappearing. The reality requires distinguishing between species, territories and the classifications used.
In Peru, Palo Santo is classified as "critically endangered"
In Peru, Bursera graveolens is listed in the "Critically Endangered" category of the national classification of threatened wild flora species. SERFOR, Peru's national forestry authority, refers to this classification in its communications. This status is important: it reflects the commitment to protecting the species within Peruvian territory and to regulating its harvesting. However, a national classification should not be confused with a global assessment. The status of a species can differ depending on the geographic scale considered.
Why is Palo Santo threatened?
Several factors can weaken natural Palo Santo populations. One of the main problems identified in Peru is illegal logging. When trees are felled without authorisation or when wood is extracted and sold outside established rules, the pressure on natural populations increases.
The degradation of dry forests is also a major issue. Changes in land use, the loss of natural habitats and difficulties in regeneration can weaken the ecosystems in which Palo Santo grows. International demand adds another dimension to this problem. The more sought-after the wood becomes, the more necessary it is to control its origin and the conditions under which it is collected.
The real issue is therefore not only the popularity of Palo Santo, but the way in which this demand is met.
Illegal exploitation of Palo Santo still exists
Inspections carried out by Peruvian authorities show that this problem does not belong only to the past. In May 2024, SERFOR announced the seizure of 1,970 kilograms of Palo Santo of illegal origin. These operations also show that means exist to identify and combat illegal supply chains. They underline why wood traceability is essential: Palo Santo sold on the international market should not merely be presented as natural or authentic; its legal origin must be verifiable.
Why is ethical Palo Santo purchasing essential?
Faced with these challenges, choosing Palo Santo from a responsible supply chain takes on its full meaning. But what does it really mean to buy ethical Palo Santo? It is not enough for the wood to come from Peru or for it to have a pleasant scent. One must also look into how it is harvested, its journey and the people involved in its transformation.
Favouring naturally dead wood
In Peru, the regulations applicable to the authorised harvesting of Bursera graveolens are based on the collection of wood from naturally dead or fallen trees, as well as from authorised branches and woody residues.
Felling living trees to harvest their wood does not fall within this framework.
This distinction is fundamental. The regulated collection of dead wood makes it possible to value an existing resource without requiring the felling of living trees to meet commercial demand. This does not mean, however, that any removal of dead wood is automatically without consequences for the environment. In a forest, dead wood also takes part in the natural cycles of organic matter and can serve as a habitat for various species. This is why the quantities collected and the harvesting areas must be regulated.
Respecting the natural cycles of the forest
Responsible harvesting must take into account the ecosystem's capacity to sustain its tree populations. The quantity of wood available cannot be determined solely by commercial demand. It must be assessed based on the resource actually present and the applicable management rules. This approach is essential to prevent an economic activity from relying on excessive pressure on forests.
Preserving Palo Santo also means supporting local communities
Palo Santo also has an important human dimension. In northern Peru, its collection and transformation can represent an economic activity for the communities that work with this resource. Behind each stick lie several stages: identifying the wood, collecting it, selecting it, transporting it, cutting it, shaping it, drying it and packaging it. These operations require time, experience and a particular knowledge of the material. During our journey in the Piura region, we met people who have been part of this work for many years. We thus discovered that Palo Santo is not only a product intended for export.
It is also a resource tied to a territory, to local activities and to know-how passed down over time.
We must nevertheless be precise: not every sale of Palo Santo automatically benefits local communities. The distribution of economic value, working conditions and commercial relationships are also important elements of a responsible supply chain.
Veegreen: understanding the origin of our Palo Santo directly in Peru
At Veegreen, we believe that a natural product takes on a different dimension when we know its origin. It is this conviction that led us to travel to northern Peru. Our goal was to discover the natural environment of Palo Santo, but also to understand the different stages that make it possible to turn this material into aromatic sticks.
Our journey in the Piura region
On site, we discovered the dry forests where Bursera graveolens grows. We also met a community specialised in working with Palo Santo. This experience helped us better understand the knowledge required to identify and select the wood. We then followed the different stages of its transformation. The collected wood must be sorted, prepared, cut and shaped before becoming the stick we know. This work requires particular attention to the quality of the material and its characteristics.
From tree to stick: a often overlooked human work
When you hold a stick of Palo Santo in your hands, it is hard to imagine all the stages that preceded its sale. Yet each of them plays a role. Knowledge of the forest makes it possible to identify the resource. The selection of wood helps determine the pieces suited to its transformation. Cutting and shaping then produce usable sticks. This succession of operations shows that Palo Santo is not merely a raw material taken from nature. It is also the result of human work.
Why is traceability at the heart of our approach?
Our journey to Peru is part of a commitment to better understand the origin of the raw materials we offer. At Veegreen, we pay particular attention to the origin of our Palo Santo and to the conditions under which it is prepared. We wish to favour a direct relationship with the players in the supply chain and a better understanding of local practices. This approach obviously does not exempt us from complying with regulatory obligations. On the contrary, it must go hand in hand with attention to the documents that justify the legal origin of the wood.
For us, knowing the origin of a material is an essential first step toward building a more transparent sourcing relationship.
SERFOR: what is its role in protecting Palo Santo?
When looking into Palo Santo regulations in Peru, one organisation regularly comes up: SERFOR.
SERFOR, or Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre, is Peru's National Forest and Wildlife Service. This public authority oversees the management of forest resources and wildlife. Its role is particularly important for a protected species such as Bursera graveolens.
Harvesting governed by Peruvian regulations
Palo Santo cannot be harvested and sold freely without taking into account the applicable rules. In Peru, its legal harvesting relies on authorisations and documents that regulate the collection and movement of the wood. The regulations aim in particular to combat the illegal felling of living trees and to limit unauthorised removals. Management plans and inspections make it possible to better monitor the quantities harvested.
Reforestation and restoration: preparing the future of Palo Santo too
The protection of Palo Santo does not rest solely on inspections. In Peru, SERFOR also takes part in efforts to restore forest ecosystems and supports initiatives aimed at promoting the regeneration and planting of forest species in the territories concerned. For Palo Santo, this long-term vision is particularly important: protecting the trees present today must go hand in hand with restoring dry forests and renewing the resource for future generations. These efforts also have a human dimension. Sustainably preserving Palo Santo helps maintain local activity and specialised know-how around this resource. The communities who know the forest, collect authorised wood and take part in its transformation are thus directly concerned by the survival of the species.
A protection that allows us to look to the future
Classifying Palo Santo among threatened species therefore does not mean that its future is doomed. On the contrary, it draws attention to its value and strengthens the measures intended to protect it.
Regulated harvesting, the fight against illegal supply chains, resource monitoring, forest restoration and the involvement of local communities: these different actions share a single goal, allowing Palo Santo to continue growing in its natural environment while preserving the know-how and activities linked to it.
Palo Santo is therefore a resource to be protected with care, but also a resource around which local and institutional players are working to build a sustainable future.
Controls and methods that continue to evolve
In November 2025, SERFOR announced work in the Piura region to improve the method for calculating the quantities of Palo Santo collected. The aim was in particular to better link the volume of dead trees, branches and woody residues to their actual weight. This work seeks to strengthen the monitoring of harvested quantities and to fight illegal extraction. Above all, it shows that the management of Palo Santo continues to evolve: scientific knowledge, regulations, ecosystem restoration, inspections and the experience of local communities can move forward together.
How to recognise an ethical and responsible Palo Santo?
It is not always easy to know the exact origin of a piece of Palo Santo when you buy it. Certain elements can nevertheless help assess a seller's transparency.
Check the botanical species
The name "Palo Santo" can refer to different aromatic materials depending on the country and context. For Palo Santo traditionally sold in stick form in Peru, the botanical name to look for is Bursera graveolens.
Know the country and region of origin
The mention "origin South America" remains relatively vague. A transparent seller should be able to communicate the country of origin of its wood and, when this information is available, its region of provenance. In the case of Peruvian Palo Santo, Piura plays an important role in the supply chain.
Find out about harvesting conditions
It is worthwhile to ask whether the wood comes from naturally dead trees and whether it was collected under an authorised harvesting scheme. This information is more useful than a simple "natural" mention on a package.
Look for information on traceability
A serious supplier should be able to explain the main stages of its sourcing. Appropriate regulatory documents are an important element for justifying the legal origin of the wood.
Do not rely on appearance alone
The colour, smell and look of the wood can vary depending on the natural characteristics of the material. Transparency about its origin and sourcing remains a far more relevant indicator.
Take an interest in the people who work the wood
Who collects the wood? Who transforms it? What relationships exist between the different players in the supply chain? These questions go beyond marketing claims to help you better understand the reality of the product.
Preserving Palo Santo: a balance between forest protection and local activity
The question of preserving Palo Santo cannot be reduced to a choice between commerce and nature protection. In certain regions of Peru, the wood also represents an economic resource for local communities. A legal, properly regulated supply chain can help enhance traditional know-how and generate income. This balance requires respecting harvesting rules, controlling the quantities taken, fighting illegal trade networks and protecting natural habitats. Restoration and renewal efforts bring an essential perspective here: the goal is not only to manage the Palo Santo available today, but also to foster the presence of the species in the forests of tomorrow.
Preserving Palo Santo means protecting a tree, but also a territory, a body of know-how and an activity that can continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
In conclusion: is Palo Santo endangered?
Yes, Bursera graveolens is classified as "critically endangered" in Peru. However, this finding should not lead to the belief that the future of Palo Santo is necessarily bleak.
This status precisely helps recognize the fragility of the resource and strengthen its regulation. In Peru, legal collection of dead wood, controls against illegal harvesting, improved traceability, forest restoration efforts and the involvement of local communities are all levers for preserving the species.
The challenge, therefore, is to find a balance: protect Palo Santo enough to allow the species and its environment to endure, while enabling specialized communities to continue valuing their knowledge and their work within a responsible framework.
At Veegreen, our journey to the Piura region allowed us to discover this reality up close. We met people who know Palo Santo, its environment and the gestures required for its transformation.
This experience reinforced our conviction: to fully appreciate a natural material, one must also understand where it comes from, how it is protected and who helps keep its story alive.
Palo Santo is a precious resource that deserves our attention, but its story is also one of mobilization for its preservation. Between forest protection, restoration, regulation and local know-how, the key now is to ensure that this emblematic wood continues to endure across generations.
