Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio)

Adding drama in the fall landscape, Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio) is a small deciduous tree adorned with a rounded umbrella-like canopy of compound, pinnate, dark green leaves, 10 in. long (25 cm), divided into 10-12 narrow leaflets. While the foliage is aromatic when bruised and an attractive dark green during the summer, the primary season of interest of Pistacia chinensis is in the fall when its leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Chinese Pistachio is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. Blooming in spring, male and female flowers are greenish to purplish and open before the leaves unfurl. While related to the Pistachio Tree (Pistacia vera), Chinese Pistachio does not produce edible nuts. The female flowers are followed by inedible bright red berries in fall that turn blue-purple in winter and are a source of food for birds. The bark becomes scaly, gray-brown, and as the scales flake off, they reveal salmon inner bark. Thanks to its wide canopy, the Chinese Pistachio is a good choice for a shade tree. It can also be used as a single specimen for a spectacular display. Heat and drought-tolerant, winter-hardy, pest-free, fire-resistant, and relatively long-lived, this ornamental tree is terrific for lawns, streets, and parks. Top Pollution-Tolerant Trees That Thrive Where Others Fail

• Grows up to 30-35 ft. tall (9-11 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade, but full sun is best for growth and fall foliage. Tolerates a wide range of soil types and water conditions.
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• Pruning in the early years to create a symmetrical tree with good form.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for verticillium wilt.
• Propagation by seeds.
• Native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Chinese Pistachio belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, also known as the cashew family. This family includes economically important, ornamental, and sometimes toxic plants:

• Mango (Mangifera indica)
• Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)
• Pistachio (Pistacia vera)
• Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus)
• Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
• Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)
• Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans): a notorious toxic plant that can cause severe skin irritation upon contact.