How to Care for a Male Chinese Pistache

Nut-producing pistachios in the U.S. are often grafted onto Chinese pistache rootstock.

If you're looking for a tough shade tree that requires minimal maintenance, Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) just might be that tree -- if it's a male. Females can get a bit messy, because if there's a male anywhere nearby to contribute pollen, they'll produce clusters of berry-like fruits. With finely divided lacy-looking leaves, this long-lived China native is heat- and drought-tolerant and also withstands cold (down to Zone 6), poor soils and strong winds. Trees feature glorious fall color. Females generally have less attractive forms than males, but even males may need careful pruning to establish sound structure.

Things You'll Need

• Loppers, sharp
• Hand pruners (bypass-style, sharp)
• Nitrogen or 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Grass clippings, pine straw or shredded leaves

Instructions

1. Prune young trees to establish a strong, well-branched structure if you have an unbranched sapling, few branches or branches clustered together in one spot. Cut off the tree's top or leader to force the development of new branches below that point.

2. Pick one of the new branches that develop in the following year as the new leader, or growing tip that is the tree's top, and one as a branch. Remove all other branches.

3. Prune off the new leader when the tree grows taller again, about 18 to 24 inches above the first cut, to force branch development there. Continue this process year after year to build a well-branched tree.

4. Make sure the entire root system of young trees gets one deep watering per week during the growing season, saturating the entire root system so roots grow deep. Don't irrigate if rainfall achieves this.

5. Apply nitrogen fertilizer in early spring in most years, at the rate of 6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Every third year apply an all-purpose fertilizer such as 10-10-10 instead. Fertilize in late winter before new growth begins -- so nutrients are available for the tree to use as soon as root growth begins.

6. Prune trees to maintain rounded or vase-like shape during the dormant winter season. Remove dead or damaged branches, crossing branches and water sprouts during dormancy or at other times during the year.

7. Mulch the soil above the entire root area with pine straw, dried lawn clippings or shredded leaves to help maintain soil moisture -- especially in drought areas -- and soil temperatures. Organic mulch also discourages weeds, and slowly releases nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

Tips & Warnings

• Rather than wait to see if the tree you bought is male or female -- flower type usually being the only way to know -- look for the male cultivar Keith Davey, known for its outstanding fall color.

• Chinese pistache is a good deciduous shade tree for southeastern exposures -- letting in lots of winter sun once leaves drop in autumn.

• Don't over water Chinese pistache, male or female, which otherwise requires no special care. Trees can fall prey to verticillium wilt where soil is too moist.

References

• University of Arkansas Extension -- Plant of the Week; Chinese Pistache, Pistacia Chinensis; Gerald Klingaman; November 2007
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Pistacia Chinensis, Chinese Pistache; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; 2009
• University of California -- Sonoma County Master Gardeners; Pistacia Chinensis--a Real Star; Stephanie Wrightson
• Michigan State University; Fertilizing Shade and Ornamental Trees; Melvin Koelling, et al.
• University of Missouri Extension; Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs; Christopher J. Starbuck; August 2009