Plant Name:  Pistache, Red Push

Botanical Name:  Pistache anacardiacae, “Red Push”

Origin: Hybrid cross between P. atlantica and P. integerrima

Height/Physical Description:  Deciduous.  25 to 40 feet in height and width with a broad, spreading growth habit.  Large leaves with 10-16 leaflets.

Special Attributes:  This tree is a deciduous hybrid that grows slowly.  It is an ornamental species and not the species that is grown for edible nuts (see Pistachio). The leaves emerge red in Spring; turn green in the Summer and then provide stunning red, yellow and orange tones in the Fall.  It is heat loving and cold tolerant.

Purchasing:  Private nurseries or online.

Planting Requirements: Plant in well-drained soil.

Watering:  Drought tolerant once established.  Young trees need regular water until established.  Water mature trees deeply but infrequently.

Fertilizing:  Compost can be added but away from the base of the tree.

Pruning:  For deciduous trees, prune when leaves have completely dropped off.

Diseases:  Verticillium wilt can be a problem if the tree is in not planted in well-draining soil

Additional Information:  This tree can adapt to many types of soil. It is both heat and cold tolerant. Great shade tree. Sunset growing zones 8-14.