What kind of tree is a Chinese pistache?
Chinese Pistache Facts. The Chinese pistache tree is, as mentioned, a notable ornamental tree, especially during the fall season when the normally dark green foliage changes to a dramatic profusion of orange and red leaves. An excellent shade tree with a broad canopy, Chinese pistache will attain heights of between 30-60 feet.
What are the pros and cons of 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. It provides excellent shade, and its leaves turn a brilliant orange-red in the fall, making it the perfect autumn tree.
How do I know if my Chinese pistache tree is mature?
Older trees will develop interesting, deeply-fissured trunk bark. The Chinese Pistache is a close relative of the pistachio nut tree. The wood is very hard and rot resistant. Young trees will probably need staking and grow slowly for the first three to five years after planting.
What is the difference between a Pistache and a pistachio tree?
Pistacia chinensis, as the name suggests, is related to the pistachio; however, it does not produce nuts. Instead, if a male Chinese pistache tree is present, the female trees bloom in April with inconspicuous green blossoms that develop into clumps of brilliant red berries in the fall, changing to a blue-purple hue in the winter.
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.
What is a Chinese pistache tree?
Chinese Pistache is fast becoming a favorite deciduous shade tree for both landscapers and homeowners alike! This native from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines is also called by its botanical name Pistacia chinensis, and we love how its clean, dark green umbrella-shaped canopy provides plenty of shade! In the summer, this medium-sized tree can block out the sunlight, and when planted in rows, can also become a natural privacy screen so that it can block unwanted views! We also like to use them as a street tree, as a specimen for front yards, and they are also ideal trees for flanking driveways!
What is the name of the tree that grows in shade?
An ornamental tree (does not produce nuts) Chinese Pistache is fast becoming a favorite deciduous shade tree for both landscapers and homeowners alike! This native from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines is also called by its botanical name Pistacia chinensis, and we love how its clean, dark green umbrella-shaped canopy provides plenty of 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, ...
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.
What is the disease that makes Chinese pistache trees turn brown?
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 is the best tree for autumn?
There are many pros and cons to the Chinese pistache tree. The Chinese pistache tree is long-lived and extremely hearty. It provides excellent shade, and its leaves turn a brilliant orange-red in the fall, making it the perfect autumn tree. Unfortunately, planting a Chinese pistache tree also comes with some cons, ...
Why do Chinese pistaches die?
Because the Chinese pistache doesn’t need to be watered too regularly, over-watering or intense soil saturation will perpetuate root rot. Root rot is a fungus that will get into the roots of your plant, making them mushy and soft. They can’t pull the necessary nutrients from the soil and will cause the plant to slowly die off. Unfortunately, that’s why the Chinese pistache tree is best suited for dryer, more arid climates. If you live somewhere where you get a lot of rain, your tree most likely won’t last.
What is the best part of a Chinese pistache tree?
One of the best parts of the Chinese pistache tree is its absolutely gorgeous fall leaves. In the spring and summer the tree has an array of waxy green leaves. It will blossom with reddish-green blooms that quickly turn to bluish-red berries. These berries are a favorite of birds. Your tree will be full of them!
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 does Chinese pistache grow?
Native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines, Chinese pistache grows at a moderate pace (13-24 inches (33-61 cm.) per year) and is relatively long lived. It is also tolerant of many soil types as well as being drought tolerant with roots that grow deep into the soil. The bark of growing Chinese pistache is grayish-brown and, if peeled from the tree, reveals a shocking salmon pink interior.
How tall is a Chinese pistache tree?
An excellent shade tree with a broad canopy, Chinese pistache will attain heights of between 30-60 feet (9-18 m.).
What is the best tree for xeriscape?
If you are looking for a tree suitable for a xeriscape landscape, one with ornamental attributes which also fulfills a valuable niche for wildlife, look no further than the Chinese pistache tree.
How much sunlight does a Chinese pistache need?
The Chinese pistache is a sun lover and should be situated in an area of at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. As mentioned, Chinese pistache isn’t picky about the soil it’s grown in as long as it drains well.
Where to use Chinese pistache?
Use Chinese pistache anywhere you would like to add a shade addition to the landscape with the bonus of an opulent fall appearance. This member of the Anacardiaceae family also makes a lovely container specimen for the patio or garden.
Can Chinese pistache trees be planted?
Although Chinese pistache trees are fairly disease and pest resistant, they are susceptible to verticillium wilt. Avoid planting them in any area that has had previous contamination.
Do pistachio trees have nuts?
These leaves are mildly aromatic when bruised. Pistacia chinensis, as the name suggests, is related to the pistachio; however, it does not produce nuts. Instead, if a male Chinese pistache tree is present, the female trees bloom in April with inconspicuous green blossoms that develop into clumps of brilliant red berries in the fall, ...
What zone do Chinese pistaches grow in?
The chinese pistache can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 6–9. View Map
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.
What is a pistache tree?
Its small, leathery leaves are olive green and have three to five pairs of leaflets. It produces inconspicuous flowers in the spring followed by black or red seeds. Its attractive stems are reddish in color when young, turning gray as they mature. The evergreen pistache was given its name because it produces a sweet-flavored resin called mastic, which comes from the bark of the trunk and softens when chewed. The resin is used as a breath freshener and to flavor puddings and cakes. Use it in the landscape as a hedge, windbreak, screen, or patio tree, or around pools and water features. It can also be used in areas as a lush transitional plant between low-water-use and oasis-type landscapes. The tree is native to Mediterranean regions such as Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Africa, growing on dry hillsides usually by the coast.
Why is the evergreen pistache called mastic?
The evergreen pistache was given its name because it produces a sweet-flavored resin called mastic, which comes from the bark of the trunk and softens when chewed. The resin is used as a breath freshener and to flavor puddings and cakes.
Where do sage trees grow?
The tree is native to Mediterranean regions such as Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Africa, growing on dry hillsides usually by the coast.
Is mastic hardy?
Maintenance. The mastic is hardy into the mid teens with leaf and stem damage at lower temperatures. This plant loves full sun but can take some partial shade. It is drought-resistant, but weekly irrigation accelerates its growth rate. It prefers well-draining soil, is low-maintenance and requires little pruning.
Resources
Cultivation
- The Chinese pistache tree is, as mentioned, a notable ornamental tree, especially during the fall season when the normally dark green foliage changes to a dramatic profusion of orange and red leaves. An excellent shade tree with a broad canopy, Chinese pistache will attain heights of between 30-60 feet. A deciduous tree, the one foot long pinnate leaves consist of between 10-1…
Description
- Pistacia chinensis, as the name suggests, is related to the pistachio; however, it does not produce nuts. Instead, if a male Chinese pistache tree is present, the female trees bloom in April with inconspicuous green blossoms that develop into clumps of brilliant red berries in the fall, changing to a blue-purple hue in the winter.
Risks
- While the berries are inedible for human consumption, the birds go nuts for them. Keep in mind that the bright colored berries will drop and may stain or create a slippery walkway. If this is a concern, consider planting P. chinensis Keith Davey, a fruitless male clone.
Ecology
- Native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines, Chinese pistache grows at a moderate pace (13-24 inches per year) and is relatively long lived. It is also tolerant of many soil types as well as being drought tolerant with roots that grow deep into the soil. The bark of growing Chinese pistache is grayish-brown and, if peeled from the tree, reveals a shocking salmon pink interior.
Culture
- The Chinese pistache is a sun lover and should be situated in an area of at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. As mentioned, Chinese pistache isnt picky about the soil its grown in as long as it drains well. Choose a site of not only plenty of sun, but with fertile soil deep enough to accommodate the long taproots and at least 15 feet away from nearby structures to account …
Management
- Once the tree has been planted, continue to water twice a week for the next month while the tree acclimates. Thereafter, check the soil once a week and water only when the top one inch is dry.
Prevention
- Feed trees under 5 years old in the spring and fall with a nitrogen based fertilizer. Use one that is supplemented with superphosphate only if they are growing less than 2-3 feet per year to give them a boost. Keep leaf debris and fallen berries raked up from around the trees to prevent unwanted seedlings.