Pistacia vera aka Pistachio

Pistacia vera, or pistachio, is a deciduous nut tree. It belongs to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. Its native range runs from northeast Iran through Central Asia and Afghanistan. It grows in hills and mountains, including sites with sandstone soils. Its native habitats reach about 4,920 feet [1,500 metres] above sea level. The tree is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Pistachio grows at a medium rate and reaches about 33 feet [10 metres]. It sheds its leaves each year. Gardeners grow it for its seeds and as a specimen tree. A sunny woodland edge can also suit it. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Both sexes must be present for seed production. Wind carries the pollen, and the flowers do not produce nectar. A lone tree cannot fertilise itself.

The seeds are the pistachio nuts sold for food. People eat them raw or cooked. They have a mild taste and contain much oil. Cooks add them to sweets, ice cream, cakes, and pies. The fruit can also be made into marmalade. The seeds yield edible oil, but their food value limits commercial oil production. Male trees yield small amounts of resin for paints and lacquers. The tree also provides habitat for wildlife.

Plant pistachio in full sun and deep soil that drains well. Sandy and loamy soils suit it, including poor soils. It also grows in lime-rich ground. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and strongly alkaline conditions. Dry or moist soil can suit it, and it tolerates drought. Long, hot summers and low humidity favour growth. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. Yet it warns that outdoor success in Britain needs a very mild site. Summer heat helps the wood ripen and improves cold tolerance.

Fungal root rot is a known problem, so good drainage matters. Young plants may need winter protection during their first years outdoors. Seeds can germinate slowly and unevenly. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards for this species. That statement does not establish safety for every person or animal. The source also records traditional medicinal uses, including uses of the seed. These reports do not establish that such treatments work.