Family: Anacardiaceae
Common Name: Pistachio, Mastic Tree

This genus of nine species of evergreen and deciduous trees is native to the Mediterranean, Asia, southern United States and Central America. Some are cultivated for their edible nuts, resins and oils.

Species

P. chinensis, from China and Taiwan, is a deciduous tree which grows to 20 m (65 ft) in its habitat, but only to around 10-12 m (33-40 ft) in cultivation. It is a very ornamental tree with dark green, compound leaves which colour to brilliant red, gold or orange in autumn.

P. lentiscus, from the Mediterranean, is an evergreen which grows to about 5 m (16 ft). This is the mastic tree, producing resin which has been used for chewing gum since classical times. Mastic is also used in dentistry and as a varnish for oil paintings.

P. terebinthus is a deciduous tree, native to the Mediterranean, which grows to around 5 m (16 ft). It was formerly used as a source of turpentine.

P. vera, pistachio nut tree, is a deciduous tree from western Asia and Iran, growing 8-10 m (26-33 ft) tall. This is the source of the edible nut, delicious eaten raw and also used in confectionary and ice cream.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, tender species should be grown in a cool greenhouse. All need well-drained soil and prefer a warm, sunny position. Most prefer a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool to cold, wet winters. P. chinensis tolerates quite cool climates but is unsuitable for very cold zones. P. vera needs a hot, dry summer to flower well and set good crops of nuts. All will grow from seed, but selected varieties are propagated by budding and grafting.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9 for most species. P. chinensis will grow in zone 8.