Plant · P-566

Chinese Pistache

Pistacia chinensis

Chinese Pistache is a tough shade tree grown for brilliant autumn color and as the standard rootstock beneath grafted pistachio orchards. It shrugs off rocky, highly alkaline soil and baking heat, but will not tolerate wet feet, so a raised bed is worth the trouble on heavy clay. Only female trees fruit, and birds strip the berries fast, scattering seedlings along fencelines and creek edges well away from where the tree was planted. It resents being moved once established, so it should go into its permanent spot while still young.