Harvesting and Distillation
Melaleuca alternifolia was
originally manually harvested from natural stands. The oil was produced
from the harvested material in crude bush stills. Today, Melaleuca
alternifolia is grown in plantations and the crop mechanically
harvested with modified forage harvesters. Plantation trees are usually
harvested every 12-18 months. The trees are robust and some plantations
have been able to harvest leaf from their trees for up to 10 years. All
plantation operators take care to preserve the natural environmental
balance and sustain future resources.
The finely cut Melaleuca leaf and twigs is transported to a steam distillation facility where it is processed in specially designed stills to yield the product, Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia or Australian Tea Tree Oil.
The vapour rises and is forced through a condenser, the sudden drop in temperature causing it to liquefy and return to oil and water. The separation of these elements produces 100% pure tea tree oil that is then stored for decanting into glass bottles.
Members of the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association are committed to environmentally responsible management of tea tree plantation and to producing premium quality tea tree oil.