Chinese Pistache, (Pistachio) Pistacia chinensis, Tree Seeds


Fast Growth, Showy Fall Colors, Showy Fruits, Shade Tree, Street Tree, Cold, Heat, Drought and Urban Tolerant, Bonsai


Native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines, Pistachio or Chinese Pistache is a small deciduous tree that typically grows to 30 to 35 feet tall with an oval rounded crown. Foliage consists of compound, even-pinnate, dark green leaves to 10 inches long, each leaf typically having 10 to 12 lanceolate leaflets to 4 inches long. Foliage is aromatic when bruised. Fall color is variable in quality shades of yellow, orange and red. Trees are dioecious (separate male and female trees), with flowers appearing in April in visible but somewhat inconspicuous green panicles. Pollinized flowers on female trees give rise to red ripening to blue spherical fruits (drupes to 1/4 inch diameter) that ripen in fall. Drupes are inedible (Pistacia vera produces the edible pistachio nuts). Gray-brown bark peels to reveal salmon inner bark.

Horticulturally, because it is very drought tolerant and can survive harsh environments, it is a popular choice for street tree in urban settings. It is also used as an understock for Pistacia vera. In China the oil from the seeds is used for biodiesel production. The wood is used for production of furniture and yields a yellow dye.

Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, 10 to 12 inches long, 10 to 12 lanceolate to narrow ovate leaflets, entire margins, tapering pointed tips, shiny green above, paler below.
Flower: Dioecious; red to green, males in tight 2 to 3 inch long clusters along last years stem, females in loser, longer groups, somewhat showy since they appear before the leaves in early spring.
Fruit: Bright red (later turning dark blue), round drupe, 1/2 inch in diameter, in long grape like cluster that ripen in early fall.
Twig: Stout, gray-brown, numerous lighter lenticels, terminal buds large and ovate with obvious large scales; large shield-shaped, raised leaf scars.
Bark: Gray-brown with shallow reddish brown furrows, later forming rectangular to almost square flat-topped ridges.
Form: Small tree reaching up to 40 feet tall with a nearly equal spread.

Other Names: Pistachio

Zone: 6 to 9

Growth Rate: Fast to Moderate

Plant Type: Small Deciduous Tree
Family: Anacardiaceae

Native Range: China to Phillipines

Height: 30 to 35 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Shape: Oval to Rounded

Bloom Time: April

Sun: Full Sun
Fall Color: Showy shades of yellow, orange and red.

Drought Tolerance: High

Water: Dry to Medium
Maintenance: Medium

Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Grow in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best in full sun. Tolerates heat, drought and a wide range of soils.

Culture: Proper pruning in early years is necessary to create a symmetrical tree with good form.

Uses: Street tree. Shade tree. Small landscape specimen for patio or garden.


Sowing Pistacia chinensis Seeds:

For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.

Scarify: Soak in water for 24 hours

Stratify: Cold 30-60 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium (Not wet).

Germination: Sow 1/4” Deep, Keep moist (Not wet).

For more information about seed pretreatment and growing trees and shrubs from seed, please download this .pdf:

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2007/08/fcpg018.pdf


Germination:

  1. Seeds Packets are labeled with seed name and sowing details.
  2. Seeds have not been pretreated unless specified in the listing.
  3. Seed is not a specific Cultivar (Variety) unless specified in the listing.
  4. Due to the many factors involved in successful germination, Seller cannot be responsible for buyers growing methods or mistakes.
  5. I have provided what I believe to be a good overview on this page (which you are free to print for further reference), however, it is still recommended to check specialist literature for more details and practices specific to your climate and soil conditions to avoid mistakes in the germination and growing process.

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