16)+Chinese+Pistache

= = =Chinese Pistache:= = = =Introduction:= Lush green foliage, bright red fruit, great peeling bark, and incredible Fall colors all come together to make the Chinese Pistache the ideal shade or street tree, with the ability to reach sixty feet in height and forty five feet wide. This tree is one of the few that have no actual pests and is very easily maintained. Obviously, due to its name, the Chinese Pistache originated in China but eventually it made its way over to the US. The climate is perfect for the Chinese Pistache in the lower states such as Texas and in Southern California. On the map shown at the right the Chinese Pistache would flourish and grow best in zones eight and nine. As you can see, though, they have been known to grow farther north in zones six and seven. The Chinese Pistache is also known for it's adaptability to harsh weather conditions and poor soil, because of this it has been used worldwide as the perfect choice for a shade or street tree.

Flowers:
The flowers of the Chinese Pistache are about one centimeter long; they are light green on the bottom side and have a red/purple color on top. Even though these flowers are small, they are still considerably showy. They also have dark yellow pollen and grow on the end of a branch in a clump about two to three inches long. Each flower has five petals and has a clump of either five or ten stamen in the center. The stamen are a dark yellow or a light green color depending on the amount of pollen each one holds.

Branches and Trunk:
The branches of a Chinese Pistache grow longer and droop as the tree grows and require to be pruned if used as a shade tree. The canopy is symmetrical and grows up to thirty to thirty five feet wide, while the tree itself grows to be about forty to fifty feet tall. The branches are brown and thick for all of the seasons. The trunk is also showy and is very thick, being about four to six feet in diameter. The outer bark layer is very flaky, a dark brown color, and can be peeled off easily. When it is peeled off it reveals an inner bark which is much more sturdy and is also a light gray color. This inner layer is very fibrous and contains resin canals.

Foliage:
The foliage of the Chinese Pistache are light green colored leaves that are about two to four inches long and are very skinny. They are lined up along a light green stick at the end of a branch. The leaves are deciduous, and in the fall they change to be red and orange colored. In the winter the leaves are shed and grow back about halfway through spring.

Fruit:
The Chinese Pistache grows many small fruit at the end of its branches right where the leaves are, probably for protection. They are a dark green color until fall when they turn red. The fruits are each about a quarter of an inch in diameter and about half an inch long, they each contain a small dark green seed. Due to this seed the tree is labeled as an Angiosperm which means the seed is protected by a fruit. The seeds have an endosperm and a seed coat for protection and nutrients. The fruits are only grown on female trees, and they are inedible for humans, however they are very popular among birds.

Size:
An adult Chinese Pistache varies in height, they are usually about forty to fifty feet tall with a thirty to forty feet wide canopy. They have, however, been seen at a height of over sixty feet with a canopy width of about forty five feet. The trunk itself measures at an average six feet in diameter with little splayout at the bottom for roots. Due to its hieght the Chinese Pistache has a big advantage over other shade trees

Identifying features:
The Chinese Pistache has many identifying features that set it apart from many other trees. For one thing this tree has very bright and showy fall colors that are easily identifyable compared to other trees. Also its sheer height, being about fifty five feet high, is another identifyable feature. Probably the most identifyable feature of the Chinese Pistache are the flowers that drop on the ground surrounding the tree, these flowers completely cover the ground leaving the tree bare.

Location/Habitat:
The Chinese Pistache is local to areas in China and Tiawan, however, the climate in southern America is also ideal for the tree. That is why so many cities and private residents have chosen to plant the Chinese Pistache for shade or show. Due to its ability to adapt very well to many different climates the Chinese Pistache has a very wide range that it can grow in. It can also withstand very poor or dry soil types, This is why countries like Texas plant so many of them.

Water/Sun Requirements:
The Chinese Pistache is a full sun, to half shade/half sun tree. It can withstand very cold winters with a low of twenty degrees fahrenheit, just as long as the summers are very warm. Due to its ability to adapt to harsh conditions it has a very low water requirement, once the tree has matured it needs very little water throughout the summer.

Reproduction:
The Chinese Pistache relies mainly on birds and other small animals for its reproduction. When the seeds fall on the gound a small animal like a squirrel or a mouse might disperse it by picking it up, moving somewhee else, and then dropping it. Also because the Chinese Pistache's fruits are very popular among birds, one might pluck a berry straight from the tree, fly somewhere else, and then drop it. This process is known as a symbiotic relationship, The bird or small animal helps in the trees reproduction, and in turn the tree offers food and shelter. The Chinese Pistache does not rely on wind dispersal for its reproduction because the fruis are round and don't coast on the winds currents.

Special Adaptations:
The Chinese Pistache has many special adaptations that help it survive in different situations, one of them being deer resistance. Deer have certain likings when it comes to trees, and they have never been very fond of the Chinese Pistache, they usually tend to stay pretty far away from it. The same is true for rabbits which can be very invasive garden pests. The Chinese Pistache has also adapted to live in salty conditions, like near the ocean. Salt usually has very bad effects on trees that aren't native to those regions, like dropping leaves and discoloration. The Chnese Pistache, however, has adapted to not only survive, but flourish in salty climates.

Additional Information:
If you ever want to plant a Chinese Pistache hee are a few tips on how far away to plant them from everyday objects:

Between two trees: twenty five feet From a septic tank: twenty feet From a building foundation: fifteen feet Frm an overhead powerline: twenty feet From an air conditioner: six feet From a fence: six feet From a sidewalk or driveway: six feet

These measurments ensure that the branches and/or roots dont harmfully affect surrounding objects.

Also, a quick litle fact about the Chinese Pistache, in China and Tiawan the oils from the seeds are used in biodeisel production. That shows you just how helpful these trees are to our environment.

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