Pistacia chinensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- piss-TAY-shee-uh chi-NEN-sis
- Description
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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.
An unattractive, almost gawky tree when young, Chinese pistache develops into an outstanding specimen tree with an umbrella-like crown. At maturity, this tree will achieve a height of 40 feet and a spread of 25 to 35 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 with good form.
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. Other than a requirement for well-drained soil, this plant will flourish in nearly every soil type. Transplant one into your landscape – you’ll be glad you did.
Insect Disease and other Pest Problems: Once established, it becomes carefree with no serious pest problems.
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Keith Davey'
- 'Keith Davey'
- 'Keith Davey'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Keith Davey'
- 'Keith Davey'
- 'Keith Davey'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pistacia
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Taiwan, Phillipines
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds feed on seeds.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Shade
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Red, ripening to blue fruit on female trees, unedible.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small greenish flowers, inconspicuous panicles.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves have 10-12 lanceolate leaflets. Aromatic when bruised.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Bark peels to reveal salmon colored inner bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Foundation Planting
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
