Lakshmi Sridharan,
Bugwood Network
Family: Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Synonym(s):
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 0
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
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.
History: Chinese pistache is planted as an ornamental.
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.
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.
US Habitat: Widely planted as an urban street tree. Also occurs on riversides and in cultivated areas.
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: E. Asia and China
US States: AL, CA, TX
Resembles/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.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
Text References
USDA Plants
Data Source
https://www.npsot.org/posts/invasive-plant/pistacia-chinensis/
Last Updated: 2006-10-06 by ARMO, TISI