Q. My Chinese Pistache was planted in my xeriscape front
yard almost 4 years ago. Overall, I’d say it’s doing fine. One thing puzzling is that the leaves started
changing to “fall colors” around the beginning of August. I don’t remember when it changed colors last or
previous years but I think that’s a bit soon.
Again, the tree looks healthy to me but I thought I’d check with you to
see if I should be concerned.
yard almost 4 years ago. Overall, I’d say it’s doing fine. One thing puzzling is that the leaves started
changing to “fall colors” around the beginning of August. I don’t remember when it changed colors last or
previous years but I think that’s a bit soon.
Again, the tree looks healthy to me but I thought I’d check with you to
see if I should be concerned.
A. I agree, August is early in our climate unless there
had been some unusually cold weather. Early fall color can be a sign of plant stress
and this would be followed by unusually early leaf drop. The usual reason for
this type of stress is either a lack of water or possibly watering too often.
had been some unusually cold weather. Early fall color can be a sign of plant stress
and this would be followed by unusually early leaf drop. The usual reason for
this type of stress is either a lack of water or possibly watering too often.
 |
| Pistache with fall color. |
When
watering, give the plant a lot of water all at once so the water drains to a
depth of 2 feet, wetting all the roots. This will require that there are enough
drip emitters and they deliver enough water if you are using drip.
watering, give the plant a lot of water all at once so the water drains to a
depth of 2 feet, wetting all the roots. This will require that there are enough
drip emitters and they deliver enough water if you are using drip.
Chinese Pistache
trees can get large, 40 feet, and the larger they get the more water they will
need. Increase the amount of water they receive by adding more emitters every
few years. It also helps if this tree has other plants growing around it that
are receiving water.
trees can get large, 40 feet, and the larger they get the more water they will
need. Increase the amount of water they receive by adding more emitters every
few years. It also helps if this tree has other plants growing around it that
are receiving water.
Do not
water this tree daily. That is a big no-no. Watering deep, twice a week, would
be plenty.
water this tree daily. That is a big no-no. Watering deep, twice a week, would
be plenty.
Chinese
Pistache will survive lawns but the soil under lawns is usually much better
than the soil under rock mulch. When they are growing in lawns, this soil can
be much more forgiving than the soil under a rock mulch that is getting watered
too often.
Pistache will survive lawns but the soil under lawns is usually much better
than the soil under rock mulch. When they are growing in lawns, this soil can
be much more forgiving than the soil under a rock mulch that is getting watered
too often.
Chinese Pistache
typically does not have a lot of insect or disease problems in our area so I
would tend to think that this would not be the case unless of course you are
watering frequently. This will cause big problems for this tree in the future.
typically does not have a lot of insect or disease problems in our area so I
would tend to think that this would not be the case unless of course you are
watering frequently. This will cause big problems for this tree in the future.