Pistacia chinensis - Chinese Pistachio

Pistacia chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Pistachio, is a tough and beautiful ornamental deciduous tree that thrives in Australian conditions — including cold-climate areas like Ballarat and Geelong. Come autumn, it puts on a spectacular show of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows that rivals anything in the garden.

Plant it where you need summer shade and year-round interest. Once established, it's remarkably self-sufficient — handling heat, wind, and dry spells with ease.

Why plant it?

• Autumn colour: Reliable, vivid reds, oranges, and yellows — even in milder climates
• Shade tree: Rounded canopy perfect for summer cooling
• Hardy: Tolerates heat, wind, and drought once established
• Bird attracting: Small berries provide food for native birds

Size & growth

• Approximate height: 6–10m
• Approximate width: 5–8m
• Growth rate: Moderate

Growing conditions

• Sun: Full sun (important for strong autumn colour)
• Soil: Very adaptable — clay, sandy, or loam, as long as it drains reasonably
• Water: Low once established; water regularly while young
• Frost hardy