Jean Smith, Smith County Master Gardeners

When looking for a great shade tree for your landscape, there are some important factors to consider. Keeping Earth-Kind principles in mind, an attractive and productive plant with minimum effort and maximum protection for the environment should be the goal. Also remember right plant-right place when considering planting locations.

Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is a medium-sized shade tree that has been tested through the Texas Superstar program and its performance was outstanding. It was also the first tree to receive the Earth-Kind designation from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The easy maintenance is a great feature, but the fall color is the real standout. Spectacular colors of orange and red make this tree one of the South’s true showstoppers for fall color. The deep green foliage is also attractive during the growing season.

Plant this tree in full sun. It will grow to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide so it is an excellent choice for landscapes with one-story homes. Chinese pistache is pest free and tolerant of most soil types. It is also drought and heat tolerant, which is always a plus in Texas. The female tree sets fruit consisting of small round berries that turn red to purple. While they are inedible to humans, they are a favorite of birds.

For more information on this beautiful tree and other trees with the Texas Superstar designation, visit texassuperstar.com.