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Federal Noxious Weed TDA Noxious Weed TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species Invasive Plant Atlas of the USNOTE:
means species is on that list.
Pistacia chinensis
Chinese pistache
Synonym(s):
Family: Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Tree
Photographer: Lakshmi Sridharan
Source: Bugwood Network
Description
Growing to 25 ft (8 m) in gardens, this deciduous species has glossy green leaves consisting of up to 10 pairs of leaflets that in fall (autumn) turn yellow, orange and scarlet. The inconspicuous flowers, borne in panicles, are followed in summer by small red spherical seed pods that turn blue in fall and attract birds.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Chinese pistache.
Ecological Threat: It is not considered invasive in all sates, but is invasive in several southeastern states including Texas. Chinese pistache has been seen invading natural areas in Central Texas (Hans Landel, pers. com.), including both ranchland and forested/riparian areas. It will replace native plants, thereby altering the habitat for native animals and plants.
Biology & Spread: Pistacia chinensis is a dioecious species and female trees do not produce large quantities of seeds until established in the landscape for fifteen or twenty years. But once mature, the female tree will produce large quantities of seeds, which are easily spread.
History: Chinese pistache is planted as an ornamental.
U.S. Habitat: Widely planted as an urban street tree. Also occurs on riversides and in cultivated areas.
Distribution
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: E. Asia and China
U.S. Present: AL, CA, TX
Distribution in Texas: Reports across the state because of its ability to tolerate a wide variety of habitats.
Mapping
Invaders of Texas Map: Pistacia chinensis
EDDMapS: Pistacia chinensis
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Pistacia chinensis
Invaders of Texas Observations
List All Observations of Pistacia chinensis reported by Citizen Scientists
Native Alternatives
Management
Mechanical- Pull plants by hand when young. Use a WeedWrenchTM for 2.5" diameter and smaller. Cut trees
to stumps and remove sprouts as they appear. Always discard seeds.
Chemical Control- If mechanical control s not being effective there are several ways you can apply the herbicides:
Hack-and-Squirt: Use a sharp hatchet to slash the extremely tough mature bark several times, followed by herbicide (glyphosate) sprayed directly into the wound with a squirt bottle.
Cut Stump: Glyphosate applied to freshly cut stumps (within 5 minutes) is particularly effective in fall when plants are shunting resources into their roots.
Text References
USDA Plants
Online Resources
https://www.npsot.org/posts/invasive-plant/pistacia-chinensis/
Search Online
Google Search: Pistacia chinensis
Google Images: Pistacia chinensis
NatureServe Explorer: Pistacia chinensis
USDA Plants: Pistacia chinensis
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Pistacia chinensis
Bugwood Network Images: Pistacia chinensis
