Pistachio Pistacia Vera

Native range: Central Asia, Middle East 
Height: 5-10 m
Width: 5-8 m
Flowering: Spring
Fruiting: Autumn
Light: Full sun to semi-shade
Growth rate: Slow

Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is an exotic, deciduous tree originally native to Iran where it forms natural dryland forests. A small to medium-sized tree, it is grown predominantly to produce edible pistachio nuts, but it is also an attractive tree, with large, rounded green leaves and obvious pale veins. It is extremely hardy, able to cope with frosts, extreme heat and very drought tolerant. Pistachio are very long-lived, and can be fast growing when water is plentily available. Plants are dioecious with individual plants being either either male or female.

The plants take 5-6 years before producing a small crop, reaching a peak of production at 10-12 years. 

Drawbacks:
Fruit production requires expertise and infrastructure, fruit harvest is intensive.

Uses:
Nut production
Ornamental and landscaping use in parklands and gardens
Shade tree 
Suited to dry sites

Propagation: Purchase grafted varieties if aiming to produce a crop. Plants can be grown from seed if use is ornamental, but there may be considerable differences in form.