Plant hunters introduced the Chinese pistache to America in the early 20th century. British plant collector E.H. Wilson sent seeds to Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum in 1908 after an expedition to China. Dutch plant explorer Frank Meyer working for the Foreign Plant Introduction Section of the USDA in the early 1900s procured cuttings and seeds on his expeditions to China.
Until recently the beautiful trouble-free tree has been underutilized as a treasured tree for the landscape.
Profile of Chinese Pistache
The Chinese pistache is a member of the cashew family. The smoke tree, sumacs, poison ivy, poison oak and pistachio nut tree, Pistache vera, are cousins.
The small to medium sized hardy deciduous tree has an umbrella-like rounded canopy at maturity. The tree has the potential to reach 50 feet in height but most stand from 25-35 feet tall and as wide. The species grows 2-3 feet per year.
The pinnately compound leaves are 8-10 inches long with 5-6 pairs of lance shaped dark green leaflets that turn either bright yellow, orange or crimson in fall. Michael Dirr, dean of trees, claims the fall color of Pistache chinensis rivals that of the sugar maple.
Chinese pistache achieves optimal growth, finest form, and captivating fall color in full sun. The tree adapts to a wide range of soil types and to acidic or alkaline pH provided the substrate is well drained. The tree’s taproot securely anchors it in place and taps deep water reserves.
The nursery stock sapling Chinese pistache in a five-gallon pot looks gangly and distorted. However, the “ugly duckling stage” of adolescence is manageable. With careful parental pruning, shaping and training, the tree will emerge with a strong central leader and become a magnificent treasured tree as it matures. Bear in mind, unlike humans, trees get better looking with age.
Landscape Uses of Chinese Pistache
In the 21st century homeowners are looking for trees with a full spectrum of environmental benefits. The landscape credentials of the Chinese pistache are impressive. Treasured trees cannot simply look good; they must withstand the test of time.
The Chinese pistache tree has an array of attributes that endear it to homeowner, business owner, and city hall. Take a look at this check list for this treasured tree:
- Excellent fall leaf color
- Female trees produce abundant berries for birds
- Berries are highly ornamental
- Ornamental bark changes from furrowed to exfoliating with age
- Canopy provides shade
- Very drought and heat tolerant
- Durable in wind and ice storms
- No major pests and only one known disease (verticillium wilt)
- Roots remain underground
- Long lived
- Hardy in USDA zones 6-9
- Adapts to any soil type and pH
- Tolerant of urban conditions
- Low maintenance
With so much going for it, no wonder Chinese pistache is showing up on Main Street, lawns, campuses, parks, golf courses, parking lots, highway medians, reclaimed land, as well as in botanic gardens.
The Chinese pistache, elegant ornamental shade tree for residential, commercial, and municipal landscapes, is only a shovel away from becoming a treasured tree in your surroundings.
Sources
- Edinger, Philip and Suzanne Normande Eyre. eds. Sunset Trees and Shrubs. Menlo Park: CA., 1993.
- Roth, Susan A. Taylor’s Guide to Trees: The Definitive, Easy-to-Use Guide to 200 of the Garden’s Most Important Plants. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2001.
- Sibley, David Allen. The Sibley Guide to Trees. New York: Alfred Knopf, 2009.
- Thompson, Sharon. “In the Garden: The New Hip Street Tree.” The State, December 8, 2011.
- Winter, Norman. “Chinese Pistache Rocks from Coast to Coast.” Mississippi State University Office of Agricultural Communications
Arlene Marturano - Arlene Marturano, an educator, consultant, master gardener, and writer advocates gardens as a context and gardening as a tool for ...
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