Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)
$39.95
Potted stock available late September 2026. Direct dispatch to Eastern States & ACT. TAS, WA & NT via Plant Concierge.
- Multi-Tonal Autumn Display
- Exceptional Drought Tolerance
- Potted — Late September
- Grown On At Mittagong
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Australia's Most Underrated Autumn Colour Tree.
Pistacia chinensis—the Chinese Pistachio—is the connoisseur’s alternative to the familiar Liquidambar or Japanese Maple. Dramatically underused in Australian horticulture, this medium-to-large architectural tree delivers one of the most complex, multi-tonal autumn displays available in the temperate zone, erupting into vivid scarlet, fiery orange, and deep burgundy simultaneously across a broadly rounded canopy. Crucially, this ornamental masterpiece is completely unrelated to the edible pistachio; it is grown entirely for its phenomenal seasonal foliage and its remarkable drought tolerance. Thriving in drier inland climates where typical autumn-flowering trees struggle, it represents the ultimate resilient landscape choice. Field-grown to Premium grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on here at Mittagong, our strictly limited allocation offers landscape designers and serious collectors a rare opportunity to plant an enduring, climate-ready masterpiece.
Pot Size: 140mm
Est. Plant Height: Approx. 70cm tall, measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the leader
Mature Size: 10–15m in height with a broadly rounded canopy
Growth Habit: Medium-large deciduous tree; attractive flaking bark with age
Style: Climate-Resilient Landscapes / Collector Gardens / Avenues
APPROXIMATE ACTUAL PLANT SIZE: 70CM TALL (IN A 140MM POT)*
*Heights are measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the leader. Dispatched sizes may vary slightly with seasonal growth, but every specimen carries an established root system ready for its next stage of development.
There is a frequent and damaging misconception surrounding Pistacia chinensis. Because of its common name — the Chinese Pistachio — many assume it is an edible nut-bearing tree. It is not. It is a purely ornamental shade tree that happens to produce one of the most vivid and complex autumn colour displays in all of temperate horticulture. For landscape designers in the know, it is the ultimate “insider” selection.
While the familiar Liquidambar and Japanese Maple dominate autumn plantings, the Chinese Pistachio offers a superior alternative for the modern Australian climate. Once established, it exhibits exceptional drought tolerance, easily handling drier inland conditions that would stress a maple. As the days shorten, the broadly rounded canopy ignites into a multi-tonal masterpiece of scarlet, orange, and burgundy — often displaying all three colours simultaneously. Combined with bark that develops a beautiful flaking texture with age, this is a truly world-class, climate-resilient feature tree.
These specimens were field-grown to Premium grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on here at Mittagong. By release, they will carry a full season of root establishment — the structural advantage of field production, without the narrow planting window that bare root demands.
- Complex Autumn Spectacle: Delivers a richer, more varied canopy than single-colour deciduous trees, displaying vivid scarlet, orange, and burgundy simultaneously.
- Outstanding Drought Tolerance: The perfect autumn colour tree for a changing climate. It thrives in drier inland conditions where Liquidambars and Maples often suffer.
- The Connoisseur's Choice: A dramatically underused and underrated species that offers a unique "insider knowledge" element to premium landscape designs and collector gardens.
- Maturing Bark & Form: Develops a beautifully rounded, 10–15m architectural canopy and highly attractive flaking bark texture as the tree ages.
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Does this tree produce pistachios?
How does it compare to a Liquidambar?
Are the red berries edible?
Can I ship this to Tasmania, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory?
What's the difference between the bare root and potted stock?
Detailed Description and Specs
The Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) is a medium-to-large deciduous tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. Native to the rocky hillsides and open woodlands of China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, it is a remarkably tough and adaptable species designed to withstand less-than-ideal soil and moisture conditions.
In the landscape, it forms a broadly rounded, umbrella-like canopy that provides excellent summer shade, reaching 10–15m at maturity. As the tree ages, its bark develops a highly attractive flaking texture. However, it is the autumn display that defines the species: a complex, multi-tonal eruption of scarlet, orange, and burgundy that ranks among the finest in temperate horticulture. Because it is highly drought-tolerant once established, it offers a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative to thirstier autumn feature trees. Our strictly limited allocation was field-grown to Premium grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on at Mittagong to establish through spring. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, a region free of key plant pests, allowing direct delivery to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Here’s why we think you’ll love the Chinese Pistachio:
- Species: Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio)
- Provenance: Rocky hillsides and open woodland of China, Taiwan and the Philippines. Supplied through our specialist grower network.
- Important Note: Purely ornamental. Does NOT produce edible nuts.
- Autumn Colour: Simultaneous display of scarlet, orange, and burgundy.
- Drought Tolerance: Exceptional once fully established.
- Mature Scale: 10–15m tall with a broad, rounded canopy.
- Best For: Water-wise landscapes, inland climates, avenues, and collector gardens.
Care and Planting Guide
The Chinese Pistachio is a highly resilient tree, but it requires consistent care during its initial establishment phase before it can demonstrate its famous drought tolerance.
- Sunlight & Location: Plant in full sun. Maximum sunlight exposure is essential to drive the most intense and vivid autumn colour displays. It requires space to accommodate its broadly rounded 10–15m mature canopy.
- Soil & Drainage: Highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, including poorer, rocky sites, provided drainage is excellent. It will not tolerate boggy, poorly drained, or waterlogged conditions.
- Watering & Establishment: While famous for its drought tolerance, this resilience only applies to established trees. You must water deeply and consistently during the first two growing seasons to encourage the root system to push deep into the soil profile.
- Climate: Exhibits a very wide tolerance, performing beautifully across cool to warm temperate zones. It handles the drier heat of inland climates significantly better than most maples or Liquidambars. For complete planting and establishment guidance, see our full guide in the Journal: How To Plant Bare Root Trees In Australia.
Shipping and Delivery
Potted Stock — Available Late September 2026
These trees are being grown on at our Mittagong nursery and will be released in late September, established and ready to plant. Join the waitlist above, and you will be notified the moment stock goes live.
Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA)
Eligible for standard shipping via our secure specialist plant freight network. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, in a region free of key plant pests — which lets us send most species directly to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmanian orders are handled through our Plant Concierge, which coordinates all Bass Strait biosecurity treatment and inspection via a licensed specialist before your plants are forwarded to you. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT is handled through our Plant Concierge — a hand-guided pathway across the quarantine border. We prepare and correctly identify your plants, then a licensed quarantine specialist carries out all mandatory treatment and inspection under your state’s protocol before they’re forwarded to you. This involves additional cost and a little planning. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Lord Howe Island & Norfolk Island
We are unable to ship to Lord Howe Island or Norfolk Island under any circumstances.
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