Pistacia chinensis Seed

LATIN NAME: PISTACIA CHINENSIS

COMMON NAME: Chinese Pistache

The Chinese pistache bunches the rounded, spreading tree with the pinnate leaves of the many narrow leaflets that turn the vivid orange and the scarlet in the autumn and the small, greenish flowers that open through the spring, the small, round, red-to-dark fruits in the loose bunches following on the female trees. The autumn colour lights up the tree, and it grows into the broad, sturdy form. It stands the heat, the drought, and the city air well. It likes the sun, and the well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

In the cashew family, the pistache trees have a recognised place in the studies of the tough street trees, and the chinensis species appears in the research on the autumn pigment chemistry and the urban heat and drought tolerance. The arborists value the tough, adaptable form, while the horticulturists note the scarlet autumn. The seed biology fills out the picture, and the growers of the low-care shade trees keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the warm city garden and the street, the Chinese pistache bunches the red fruits and flames the autumn. The pinnate leaves turn the vivid orange and the scarlet, the fruits feed the birds through the winter, and the broad, sturdy crown gives the deep shade. It stands the heat, the drought and the city air well and grows in the well-drained, sunny ground. Tough, scarlet and low-care.

To grow the Chinese Pistache from seed,

Press the seeds into the sandy, gritty rows of the cold frame, then cover them lightly, keep the frame in the bright, cool spot and water gently

Keep the frame bright and gently watered, and give the young trees the open, sunny spot. The scarlet leaves come within a few seasons.

. The seedlings push through within a few weeks, and they grow on steadily. Settle the young trees in the sunny, well-drained ground, and the scarlet leaves will flame the autumn over the years.

The Chinese Pistache is a wonderful shade tree with vibrant fall color. Native to China and the Philippines, it is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. It is remarkably tolerant of aridity, heat and alkaline soil. Its dark green foliage and umbrella top provide excellent shade on hot summer days. The tree grows to about 40 feet high with a 35 foot spread. Small white, innocuous flowers appear in the spring. On the female tree, berry-shaped fruit appears in clusters, turning a bright red color in winter. The leaves turn a vibrant red to orange color in late fall, making the Chinese Pistache tree a reliable favorite for fall color.

Even though it makes a fabulous bonsai, you will need to plant this one in large residential or commercial landscapes where it has room to grow and will receive plenty of sunlight. With time and proper care, the Chinese Pistache tree will become more beautiful. Its canopy develops slowly and takes four to six years to mature.