Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)

tree of a nice red color that offers a lot of shade

El Pistacia chinensis it is a species that belongs to the family Pistaciaceae and is commonly known as Chinese pistachio. This is a robust tree with deep roots that make it an ideal species for patios and sidewalks, being prized for its beautiful autumn tones and pleasant shade.

Characteristics of the Pistacia chinensis

red berries

It is usually used as an ornamental plant in urban areas and as a shade tree in gardens. In Asia, the oil extracted from its seeds is used as biofuel.

This attractive tree in the fall displays green foliage that turns a spectacular orange or reddish color. This excellent species for shade can reach between 9 and 18 meters in height. Its flowers are individually male or female, however only one sex can be found in each plant, so if it is required to obtain its seeds, plants of both sexes must be planted.

It is deciduous, has 10 to 16 pinnae and its leaves on contact are full of a great aroma. Although his name recalls pistachiosIts berries are not suitable for human consumption, although birds do consume it with great enthusiasm.

The female species blooms during the month of April, its green flowers transform into groups of reddish berries during the fall, and then take on a bluish color during the winter. Its bark has a greyish brown color.

This plant has the peculiarity that its berries fall very easily and form a rather slippery carpet, its growth is moderate and has a life that can be classified as long and in relation to soils, it is a tree that tolerates droughts and adapts to almost all soils. The PH is the same, since it can be acidic, neutral or basic.

Planting and care

El Pistacia chinensis It prefers sunny locations, so you should place it in an area where it has about 6 hours of direct sunlight. In relation to the ground, it just needs good drainage. So remember to choose a sunny place, with fertile soil and deep enough, where its roots can develop without any obstacle and that is away from nearby structures, at least 5 meters away.

Once you have chosen the place for your planting, open a hole with a depth equivalent to 3 or 5 times wider than the root ball of the plant. Try to plant it in the center of the hole, spreading the roots evenly. Then proceed to cover the hole without modifying itas this is not necessary. You must water well and spread a mulch from 5 to 9 centimeters on the periphery of the stem, but removed from the trunk to avoid the attack of fungi and other types of parasites.

Diseases and pests

Although the Chinese pistachio plant is very resistant to diseases and pests, are sensitive to wilting by verticillium. For this reason, avoid sowing it in an area that has been affected by previous contamination. Once you have completed your planting, apply irrigation at least twice a week until acclimatized.

Regarding the application of fertilizers, it is recommended to use those that contain nitrogen in trees that do not exceed 5 years. Do this during the spring and fall. If you notice that their growth barely reaches 60 or 90 centimeters per year, use a fertilizer that contains a superphosphate supplement.

Pruning

red berries

To preserve its characteristic umbrella shape, you can prune the tree at the beginning of the year, either in January or February. When they reach a height of approximately two meters, prune the tops and pay attention to when its branches emerge, choose one as a trunk, another as a branch and proceed to prune the others.

Now and if the tree has grown a meter more, prune two feet above previous cuts to encourage better branching. This procedure should be repeated until the plants show good symmetry with an open cup. Make sure to collect leaves and berries that have fallen in the vicinity to avoid unexpected seedlings.


7 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   Pedro said

    Very detailed information, thank you very much.
    I can't find a nursery in Madrid where they sell them. Not online either.
    Would you be so kind to tell me where to get it?

    All the best

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Peter.
      I recommend you look on ebay, they sell seeds there 🙂
      Regards!

  2.   David said

    Pedro, you can find Pistachia Chinensis in Viveros Ebro (Tarragona). They have a website but not for sale, you can buy it by calling them by phone. All the best.

  3.   mari loli said

    I'm Loli...I've been looking for pistacia chinensis for a long time...in a size that can be transported in a private car...I CANNOT FIND IT ANYWHERE...when you talk about a tree, you could also say WHERE THEY HAVE IT SO YOU CAN BUY IT...if you know where. .x fa.. say it here.. thank you

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Mari Loli.
      We recommend you look in online plant stores, or sometimes they also have them on ebay.
      A greeting.

  4.   mari loli said

    I am loli... I live in Totana, Murcia region... I have looked for the pistacia chinensis in all the nurseries in all the provinces in a size that can be transported in a private vehicle... to be able to pick it up by a transport company like NACEX... I CANNOT FIND IT ANYWHERE. .in all the nurseries they tell me, sorry for the inconvenience but WE DO NOT HAVE THIS VARIETY….if someone knows where to get them at a height of 1 meter and a half or a little more..X FA..let me say it here..I don't want seeds ...since I have planted but I don't know if they will come out... I appreciate all the information on where to get it... THANK YOU VERY MUCH... GREETINGS

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Maria Loli.
      I am seeing that in medipalm.com they sell large copies. See if you can get it.
      A greeting.