Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)

Location and Notable Facts

  • Other names
    • Ugly Duckling; due to looking gangly the first few years and maturing into an attractive rounded tree.
  • Scientific Family
    •  Anacardiaceae (Cashew family)
  • Discovery
    • N/A 
  • Size (Width/Height/Growth/DBH)
    •  30 feet height by 20 feet width
  • Colors
    • Spectacular early fall colors (yellow and orange to red)

PISchi-memchuPhoto credit to Trees of Sanford

  • Bloom/Seed/Fruit
    • Are dioecious, meaning that the male and female reproductive organs exist in separate trees. Female Chinese Pistache trees can produce clusters of ornamental fruits whenever a male tree is close by. These fruits are classified as drupes, since they consist of a fleshy outer skin that surrounds a single pistachio-type nut. 

berriesPhoto credit to University of Redlands

  • Leaf Arrangement 
    •  Pinnately compound

pistacia-chinensis-leaves

Photo credit to the California Polytechnic State University

  • Bark Arrangement 
    •  Brown to light gray furrowed

trunkPhoto credit to University of Redlands

  • Invasive/Non-invasive
    •  Non-Invasive
  • Native/Non-native
    •  Non-native; native to China
  • Pests/Disease
    • Virtually pest and disease free
    • Soil that remains soggy will promote root rot which will kill the tree
  • Comparisons to similar trees
    •  N/A
  • Usefulness
    •  Ornamental
  • Local Location / History:  
    • Located at the entrance to the Hot Springs Airport and many other businesses around town.

c.pistache