Facts About Chinese Pistache Tree
- Tree Dimensions. When fully grown, the Chinese pistache tree typically reaches heights of 25 to 35 feet, although some specimens have reached 60 feet.
- Shape. ...
- Growth Rate. ...
- Color Range. ...
- Litter Drop. ...
- Water Needs. ...
- Pests and Diseases. ...
- Invasive Potential. ...
- Urban Uses. ...
- Wildlife Magnet. ...
How big does a Chinese pistache tree get?
It is perfect for large and medium-sized yards but may overpower smaller spaces. When fully grown, the Chinese pistache tree typically reaches heights of 25 to 35 feet, although some specimens have reached 60 feet. The canopy will spread out as far as the tree is tall, with a diameter that is also about 25 to 35 feet wide.
How long does it take for a Pistache tree to grow?
These trees are best grown with a single trunk and are highly resistant to breakage in wind. Chinese pistache trees grow at a medium rate, increasing their height by 13 to 24 inches a year until reaching maturity. At this growth rate, a tree will reach maturity in 12 to 15 years.
How much sun does a Pistache tree need?
Though it will tolerate partial shade, this deciduous tree truly thrives and looks its best when planted in full sun. Well-draining soil is best, but the pistache tree will accept less than optimal growing conditions.
Is a pistachio tree male or female?
Pistachios are unisex trees – each tree will have either male or female flowers, but not both. One male tree can successfully fertilize up to ten females and in orchards they’re usually planted in that ratio; it’s possible to grow a single female tree and graft a male branch to it.
How fast does pistache tree grow?
Size: The mature tree canopy can reach 35 to 50 feet high and 30 feet wide. Growth is typically slow the first two to three years of planting and then will grow two to three feet per year.
Are Chinese pistache tree roots invasive?
Chinese Pistche roots are seldom considered invasive but in reality, only the roots of the female Pistache trees are invasive and that too only when there is a male tree nearby for pollination. Contrarily, the roots are non-aggressive and deeply rooted.
How much space does a Chinese pistache need?
Select a planting site in full sun, and at least 15 feet from your home to provide sufficient room for future growth. Pistache will not tolerate “wet feet.” So if battling a heavy clay soil which doesn't drain well, it's best to construct and plant in a raised bed 6 inches high, 4 feet in diameter.
Is Chinese pistache messy?
For most of the year, Chinese pistache is so understated and well behaved (no messy fruit, broken branches, leaf drop) that no one notices it. It's a medium-size deciduous tree, generally with a roundish top — extremely versatile in home landscapes.
Is Chinese pistache the same as red push pistache?
The popular red push pistache makes a colorful landscaping statement. The red push in contrast with the Chinese pistache holds its fall color longer and has a better root system.
What is the lifespan of a pistachio tree?
The pistachio tree is long-lived, and may possibly live up to 300 years. The trees are planted in orchards, and take approximately seven to ten years to reach significant production. Production is alternate-bearing or biennial-bearing, meaning the harvest is heavier in alternate years.
Is Chinese pistache a good shade tree?
An excellent shade tree with a broad canopy, Chinese pistache will attain heights of between 30-60 feet (9-18 m.). A deciduous tree, the one foot (30 cm.) long pinnate leaves consist of between 10-16 leaflets.
How wide does a Chinese pistache get?
Mature Size The Chinese pistache grows to a height of 25–35' and a spread of 25–35' at maturity.
How can you tell if a Chinese pistache tree is male or female?
Identifying Pistache Flowers Both sexes of Chinese pistache bloom in the spring before the leaves emerge. According to Virginia Tech, the male inflorescence has tight, clustered branches about 2 1/2 inches long. The female inflorescence has more loose, open branches about 6 to 8 inches long.
Do Chinese pistache lose their leaves in the fall?
In late November through December, this lovely tree provides a dramatic show of brilliant red, orange and yellow leaves - best displayed when in front of other trees that wear contrasting dark green foliage. Over winter, the Chinese pistache loses its old leaves and is briefly fully deciduous.
Why doesn't my Chinese pistache turn red?
Other trees planted too near your Chinese Pistache can partially shade the tree, which does not promote the best fall color. Male or female? Female Chinese Pistache put out a pretty, small red seed in the fall but don't generally turn as red as a male Chinese Pistache.
Are Chinese pistache trees poisonous to dogs?
No part of the pistachio berry tree, from the roots to the bark to the berries of the tree, poses a poisoning hazard to dogs. The toxic element found in other members of the Anacardiaceae family, urushiol, is present only in very low quantities in the Chinese pistache tree.
What type of soil does a Chinese pistache grow in?
The Chinese pistache grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, silty loam, well-drained and clay soils. It also grows well in drought conditions.
Can Chinese pistaches grow in full sun?
Pistacia chinensis. Chinese Pistache grows quickly in full sun to partial shade on moderately fertile, well-drained soils and will withstand heat and drought extremely well. The crown is quite round and symmetrical on older specimens when grown in full sun but becomes misshapen in too much shade - best for full sun areas.
How tall does a pistachio tree grow?
The tree itself is deciduous and grows up to 30 feet high.
How long does it take for a pistachio tree to produce fruit?
It’s usually seven or eight years before the tree produces its first crop of fruit, but it can take up to fifteen before it reaches full production. One drawback of pistachios as a crop is that they’re vulnerable to several pests and diseases.
Why do pistachios split?
This often splits the hull as well, which can allow insects and mold to infest the seed, so it’s vital to harvest pistachios quickly once they ripen.
Can a pistachio tree have a male or female flower?
Interesting Pistachio Tree Facts. Pistachios are unisex trees – each tree will have either male or female flowers, but not both. One male tree can successfully fertilize up to ten females and in orchards they’re usually planted in that ratio; it’s possible to grow a single female tree and graft a male branch to it.
Is a pistachio a nut?
The first thing to know about pistachios is that they aren’t true nuts. The fruit of the cashew tree is a drupe, a single seed enclosed in a layer of flesh. Unlike most drupes, however, the flesh isn’t soft and juicy. Instead it forms a thin hull surrounding the edible seed. Although it’s not a nut, pistachios can cause allergic reactions in some ...
Can you grow pistachios in the USA?
Their distinctive taste and naturally split shell gives them an exotic appearance and that adds to their premium image, but in fact it’s possible to grow them in many parts of the USA. It’s not necessarily easy, depending on where you are, but if you’ve ever considered growing ...
Do pistachios need to be hulled?
Once they’ve been gathered, pistachios need to be hulled, although that’s a simple process because by now the outer layer of the drupe is very loose and comes off easily. If the hull has split naturally the seed needs to be inspected for signs of mold infection, because this can create dangerous aflatoxins. Farmers often discard these “early split” fruits for safety, but even so aflatoxin contamination often means whole batches of pistachios have to be destroyed.
How big is a Chinese pistache tree?
Tree Dimensions. When fully grown, the Chinese pistache tree typically reaches heights of 25 to 35 feet, although some specimens have reached 60 feet. The canopy will spread out as far as the tree is tall, with a diameter that is also about 25 to 35 feet wide.
What zone do Chinese pistache trees grow in?
The Chinese pistache tree ( Pistacia chinensis) is often used for landscaping in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Though it will tolerate partial shade, this deciduous tree truly thrives and looks its best when planted in full sun.
Why is the Chinese pistache tree called the ugly duckling?
Because it is often gangly and misshapen when young, many gardeners and landscapers overlook the Chinese pistache tree. The tree grows into a beautiful garden focal point as it matures, however, leading many to refer to it as The Ugly Duckling. Don't overlook this beautiful swan when planning your garden just because of its unsightly teen years.
What is a mature tree?
Mature trees develop a smooth, rounded crown shape that spreads out from the trunk in a vaselike pattern. These trees are best grown with a single trunk and are highly resistant to breakage in wind.
How big do a sage tree drop flowers?
This tree will drop flower petals and fruits of about 1/2 inch in diameter, so they should be planted where litter won't be a problem. Many gardeners agree, however, that the tree's beautiful color, which lasts well into November in southern areas, more than makes up for the litter it drops.
Is Chinese pistache a problem?
Soil pH is not a problem, however, because the Chinese pistache tolerates a wide range of soil alkalinity. This tree requires no fertilizer and is drought-resistant once established. It is perfect for large and medium-sized yards but may overpower smaller spaces. Advertisement.
Can a Chinese pistache grow in salty soil?
Well-draining soil is best, but the pistache tree will accept less than optimal growing conditions. Plantings should be avoided in areas where salt spray or salty soil is present as its salt tolerance is very low. Soil pH is not a problem, however, because the Chinese pistache tolerates a wide range of soil alkalinity.
Chinese Pistache Care
The Chinese pistache, for such a beautiful tree, is incredibly easy to care for save one labor-intensive chore: pruning. It requires a certain style of pruning to create its beautiful form later in life. Other than that most of the care is relatively straightforward and not unlike any other tree.
Types of Chinese Pistache
While an excellent tree in its own right, the nursery trade has created several cultivars of Pistacia chinensis to highlight some of its already outstanding attributes. Here is a list of some of the more popular cultivars:
Pruning
When you purchase your tree from the nursery your plant most likely will not have the preparatory pruning required to establish aesthetically pleasing trunk and branch structure. That will be your job and you will see at first glance that the Chinese pistache looks a bit... gangly.
Propagation
The easiest method of propagating Chinese pistache is by taking softwood cuttings.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Luckily the Chinese pistache is, for the most part, free from serious pests and disease. One disease that occasionally infects the tree is Verticillium wilt.
How tall can a Chinese pistache tree grow?
The tree can grow to be as tall as 60 feet! If you plant both male and female pistache trees, the likelihood of their lasting a long time will increase.
What is the Chinese pistache tree?
There are many pros and cons to the Chinese pistache tree. The Chinese pistache tree is long-lived and extremely hearty.
What is the disease that causes Chinese pistache trees to wilt?
While it can withstand a number of pests and infections, the Chinese pistache tree is particularly susceptible to verticillium wilt. Virticillium wilt is a fungal disease that lives in the soil. It will strike out of nowhere and can make leaves brown, wilt, and curl in on themselves.
What color are Chinese pistache leaves?
The Chinese pistache leaves will fade from green to a fiery orange to a deep and vibrant red, giving it an opulent fall appearance.
How to save a pistache tree from rotting roots?
You can save young pistache trees from root rot, however. Here are 4 steps to combat root rot: Step 1: Remove the plant and break off the soil from the root ball. Step 2: Trim away rotting roots. Step 3: Toss the infected soil.
How much sunlight does a Chinese pistache tree need?
The Chinese pistache tree doesn’t require a lot of shade. In fact, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. This makes the tree perfect for parks. Many parks in arid or desert regions of the U.S. plant Chinese pistache trees because of its inviting shade.
Where are Chinese pistache trees native to?
Written by Paige Hanawalt in Gardening. Native to the rocky hills of China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the Chinese pistache tree is known for its signature umbrella shape and its brilliant fiery leaves in the fall. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance tree with ornamental properties for your xeriscape back, front, or side yard, ...
