Pistacia chinensis
Chinese pistachio
A half-hardy deciduous tree, up to 25m high in its native range but often much smaller in cultivation. Leaves are pinnate, divided into 10-12 glossy, toothed, dark green leaflets, that turn bright red, orange and yellow in autumn. Small, fragrant red flowers are produced in mid to late spring; if pollinated, these are followed on female plants by small round reddish fruits that mature to blue
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green Red Orange | Red Blue | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Genus
A genus of 10 to 20 species of flowering shrubs and small trees in the cashew family, the most well known being pistachio which is grown for its edible seeds
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C & W China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. A good specimen tree for mild, frost free areas
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal root rot and coral spot
Get involved
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