Gum Arabic is only produced by trees that are in an unhealthy condition. Gum yields are improved by natural factors that lessen the vitality of the trees - hot weather, poor soil, lack of moisture, etc…
It is important to remember that a damaged tree will give a larger yield of gum. Thus, the natives will cut and strip the bark from a tree and return later to remove the tears of gum that are formed in wounds or scars.

Gum droplets are about 0.75 to 3 inches in diameter, and they gradually dry and harden on exposure to the atmosphere. A young tree will yield 400 - 7000 g annually.

The dry season lasts from October to June and the gum is collected every 10 days. During the rainy season no gum is formed since the trees are in full bloom.