Pistacia chinensis

Tough as nails, drought tolerant, easy to transplant, and pest free are all terms used to describe the Chinese pistache. This beautiful, medium-sized tree is perfect for both the home landscape and the urban environment. This tree is a member of the Anacardiaceae or cashew family. 

An unattractive, almost gawky tree when young, the Chinese pistache develops into an outstanding specimen tree with an umbrella-like crown. At maturity, this tree will achieve a height of 35 feet and a spread of 20 to 30 feet. There are male and female trees.  Its main branches may be upright to arching. Proper pruning when the tree is young is essential to create a symmetrical tree.

This tree is native to Afghanistan China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It may be found in hilly and mountainous forests of its native range.

The genus name, Pistacia, is derived from the Greek word, pistake, meaning nut. The epithet, chinensis, means from China. 

This tree prefers full sun and is adaptable to most soil and pH types. It is drought, heat, and pollution tolerant. It is long-lived and fire-resistant. 

Chinese pistache has finely divided, lustrous green foliage during the summer months, and terrific fall color, plus exfoliating bark for winter interest. The fiery orange and red leaves make this Asian native one of the prettiest trees in autumn. The male and female flowers emerge in the spring before the leaves. They are dense or loose greenish clusters. The female flower, once pollinated, produces a red drupe that ripens to blue in October and is enjoyed by birds.

The fruits of this tree are inedible; however, the species, Pistacia vera, produces the edible pistachio nuts. 

The Chinese pistache is an excellent choice as a shade or street tree. The brilliant color of the fall foliage and the peeling bark will add more interest to the home landscape, particularly in the fall and winter. Consider this medium-sized ornamental as a specimen, street, or shade tree. It is the perfect size near a patio or garden.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Winter    Foliage:  Summer and Fall       Fruits:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• medium-sized deciduous street, 30 to 35 feet tall, 20 to 20 feet wide, umbrella-like canopy
• grayish-brown, scaly, peeling outer bark that reveals a salmon-colored inner bark
• male and female greenish flowers, male flowers in dense clusters, and female in loose clusters
• dark green compound, pinnate, 10 to 12-inches long leaves with 10-12 narrow leaflets, aromatic when bruised
• red. rounded, 0.25-inch drupe that ripens to blue in the fall

Insect Disease and other Pest Problems: Once established, it becomes carefree with no serious pest or disease problems. It may be susceptible to verticillium wilt. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.