Pistacia chinensis (Chinese
Pistache) is native to China and has naturalized
in parts of California.
The tree is
deciduous, and key diagnostics include a rounded form, nearly as wide as it is tall,
with low sweeping branches unless pruned. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound,
4-8” long, dark to medium green with 10-16 elliptical to ovate-lanceolate leaflets
(2-4” long by ¾” wide), glabrous, with brilliant fall color. Insignificant male
and female flowers are on separate trees (dioecious). Females develop clusters of
small, red drupes. Bark is reddish brown, becoming gray-brown and finely fissured
with age.
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| Pistacia chinensis - leaves, flower, and form. |
Chinese Pistachio tolerates drought and alkaline soil, resists oak root
fungus, and is relatively pest free. The drupes drop in the fall, making this a very messy tree, but makes up for it with its fall color in our temperate climate.
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| Winter - limbs are bare against the winter sky. |
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| Spring - male and female flowers emerge. |
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| Summer - trees are leafed out and drupes develop. |
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| Fall - brilliant color and drupes turn red. |
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