Chinese Pistache
Pistacia chinensis
Also known as Chinese Pistachio
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shade tree native to China and the Philippines, prized for its brilliant orange and red fall foliage and delicate compound leaves. Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for dry climates and low-maintenance landscapes.
Why grow it
Chinese pistache offers reliable fall color in warm and intermediate climates where many maples struggle, and its compound foliage provides dappled shade without excessive density. Once established, it outperforms many ornamental shade trees in drought tolerance and adapts to poor, alkaline soils where alternatives may decline, making it a practical choice for water-limited regions.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture and staking in windy sites, as they can be slow to develop a sturdy branch structure. The species can take several years to produce its most dramatic fall coloration, and color intensity varies considerably depending on summer heat and water stress during the growing season.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Central and Western China, Philippines
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shade tree native to China and the Philippines, prized for its brilliant orange and red fall foliage and delicate compound leaves. Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for dry climates and low-maintenance landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chinese Pistache grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Chinese pistache offers reliable fall color in warm and intermediate climates where many maples struggle, and its compound foliage provides dappled shade without excessive density. Once established, it outperforms many ornamental shade trees in drought tolerance and adapts to poor, alkaline soils where alternatives may decline, making it a practical choice for water-limited regions.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture and staking in windy sites, as they can be slow to develop a sturdy branch structure. The species can take several years to produce its most dramatic fall coloration, and color intensity varies considerably depending on summer heat and water stress during the growing season.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native Range
Central and Western China, Philippines
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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