Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Anacardiaceae
Botanical Name
Pistacia chinensis
Plant Common Name
Chinese Mastic, Chinese Pistachio
General Description
Prized for its brilliant fall foliage that colors reliably even in mild or desert climes, this Chinese native gradually forms a broad, rounded, medium-sized tree.
Handsome and healthy from spring through autumn, the large compound deciduous leaves have 4 to 8 pairs of glossy lance-shaped leaflets with smooth edges. The leaves turn intense shades of pink, orange, or red in fall. Bruised leaves emit a strong odor. Clusters of inconspicuous green to reddish flowers appear along the gray-barked branches in early spring, before the leaves flush. Each tree bears only male or female flowers. Flowers on female trees give rise to small hard inedible fruits that turn from green to pink to red before ripening blue-black in fall. The fallen fruits can pose a problem, as can the seedlings that follow.
Chinese pistachio succeeds in most well-drained soils in full sun, and tolerates heat and drought. Its domed canopy and attractive gray bark make it a good shade or street tree, although female specimens can produce messy litter and invasive seedlings. It is often shrubby when young, requiring pruning to maintain a single trunk and a good branching structure. Plants offered for sale are usually seedlings, which can vary widely in color. Look for male seedlings or selections with vivid fall color, such as 'Keith Davey.'
This tree often self-sows in favorable climates, and is considered an invasive weed in some areas including Texas.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
25'-60' / 7.6m - 18.3m
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Width
25'-50' / 7.6m - 15.2m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Red, Green
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Fruit Color
Red, Blue, Green, Dark Blue, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Orange, Pink
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
