Q. I am on the Board of Directors of a local HOA and we
need to replace our plum and pear trees. We have lots of wind. Our landscaping
company recommends a pistachio tree to replace the ornamental pear. Will that
do well planted in the strips along our entrance and throughout the community?
need to replace our plum and pear trees. We have lots of wind. Our landscaping
company recommends a pistachio tree to replace the ornamental pear. Will that
do well planted in the strips along our entrance and throughout the community?
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| Pistache like this ‘Red Push’ is a good mesic tree for HOAs with two story homes. |
A. The Chinese pistache is a good choice in the desert as
a general landscape tree, street, or lawn tree. The pluses: It has fewer
problems than the pear tree and uses about the same amount of water. It handles
wind better than pear or plum trees.
a general landscape tree, street, or lawn tree. The pluses: It has fewer
problems than the pear tree and uses about the same amount of water. It handles
wind better than pear or plum trees.
Chinese Pistache Negatives
The
negatives are possibly its size and water use. Chinese pistache is not a big
tree and it’s not a small tree. It’s in between. It is mesic in water use,
grows to about 30 feet in height and the same size in width. Don’t get me wrong.
It doesn’t use as much water as the large Mulberry with its big leaves and fast
growth.
negatives are possibly its size and water use. Chinese pistache is not a big
tree and it’s not a small tree. It’s in between. It is mesic in water use,
grows to about 30 feet in height and the same size in width. Don’t get me wrong.
It doesn’t use as much water as the large Mulberry with its big leaves and fast
growth.
 |
| Chinese pistache has great fall color but it is not a “small tree” suitable for single story homes. Remember, big trees use more water than small trees. |
Single Story Homes Should Use Small Trees
In terms
of its size, it is best suited for a subdivision that includes two story homes.
If your HOA has all single-story homes, then consider smaller mature trees in
the 20-foot “at maturity” height range. Smaller trees growing among smaller
homes is visually more appealing. Smaller mesic trees use less water than
medium-sized mesic trees when mature. Smaller xeric trees use even less water
when irrigated less often!
of its size, it is best suited for a subdivision that includes two story homes.
If your HOA has all single-story homes, then consider smaller mature trees in
the 20-foot “at maturity” height range. Smaller trees growing among smaller
homes is visually more appealing. Smaller mesic trees use less water than
medium-sized mesic trees when mature. Smaller xeric trees use even less water
when irrigated less often!
 |
| These trees were small when they were planted but now are out of scale with the single story home. |
Grow a Mixture of Trees
A word
of caution when you are selecting replacement trees. Select a mixture of
different kinds of trees in a community landscape. Having a mixture of trees reduces
potential costly outbreaks of diseases
or insect pests that could sweep through a community of identical trees in the
future.
of caution when you are selecting replacement trees. Select a mixture of
different kinds of trees in a community landscape. Having a mixture of trees reduces
potential costly outbreaks of diseases
or insect pests that could sweep through a community of identical trees in the
future.
 |
| Losses from tree diseases like ash decline can be minimized with a diversity of trees grown in an HOA. |
If you
are having trouble selecting a plant, look online at the plant database found
at SNWA. Cross reference your selection with Arizona State University’s plant database
in Tempe Arizona. Select important trees used in your landscape that survive a
low winter temperature of 20° F. Use a minimum temperature of 25° F for plants
that you can afford to lose every few years.
are having trouble selecting a plant, look online at the plant database found
at SNWA. Cross reference your selection with Arizona State University’s plant database
in Tempe Arizona. Select important trees used in your landscape that survive a
low winter temperature of 20° F. Use a minimum temperature of 25° F for plants
that you can afford to lose every few years.