Planted In Memory of
R.A. Young, Jr.
Given By Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Young III
May 26, 2005

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Chinese Pistache is a long lived, winter hardy shade tree with spectacular fall color, outstanding heat, drought, pest and soil tolerance. It is the only tree that comes close to rivaling the sugar maple for fall color in the south. Seedlings do not develop straight trunks and may produce multiple leaders so pruning in youth is necessary to form a good crown. There are nine evergreen and deciduous species but only two are cultivated P. vera as a nut crop and P. chinensis.

Bark: Develops shallow furrows with the ridges becoming scaly. Gray to gray-black in color with a salmon to orange colored inner bark.

Foliage: Deciduous. Dark green in summer and remaining on the tree until late in the season. Fall color varies from a yellow-green to a vivid orange-red mid-October into late November. Leaf arrangement is alternate, pinnately compound. Leaves are 10 inches long and attached to a 1 - 4 inch petiole. Each leaf has 10 - 12 leaflets that are 2 - 4 inches long and 3/4 inch wide.

Flowers: Dioecious. Male flowers are small, greenish in color and borne in dense 2 - 3 inch long panicles. Female flowers are 7 - 9 inches long borne on loose, non-showy panicles. Flowers occur in April before the leaves on previous year's wood.

Fruit: Globose 1/4 inch diameter drupe. Fruits are showy and mature to a robin's egg blue or red. Fruits ripen in October and fall or are eaten by birds by late November. Fruit stalks may remain on some trees creating a less than aesthetic look.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	1186
Scientific Name:	Pistacia chinensis
Mature Height:	30 - 40 ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	25 - 35 ft
Branching Shape:	Oval-rounded to rounded outline
Growth Rate:	Medium
Wood Strength:
Cold Hardiness Zone:	6 -9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	None serious
Comments:	Excellent shade tree, street tree, accent or front yard-specimen tree.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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