1/6

Chinese Pistache Tree

Pistacia chinensis

Spectacular Fiery Fall Color • Drought-Tolerant & Tough Shade Tree • Ideal Urban & Residential Specimen

$1,399.00

Container size 15 Gallon 24" Box 36“ Box 48" Box

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Chinese Pistache is a premier, low-maintenance shade tree for the Bay Area, celebrated for its breathtaking, fiery fall color and exceptional toughness. This adaptable tree provides reliable shade in summer, then puts on one of the most brilliant displays of red, orange, and yellow foliage in autumn. It is drought, heat, and pest-resistant, making it an ideal, long-lived tree for streets and gardens.

Renowned for its spectacular and reliable fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of scarlet, orange, and crimson, often on the same tree.
Develops a strong, well-structured, and broad canopy that provides excellent, dappled shade as it matures.
Exceptionally drought and heat tolerant once established, thriving in our summer-dry climate with minimal water. It also tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay and poor soils.
A very resilient tree with no serious pest or disease problems, and it is deer resistant.
Note: Female trees (the standard species) produce small, inedible red berries in fall that can be messy on hardscapes and may attract birds. For a fruitless option, choose the male cultivar ‘Keith Davey’.

Nursery Plant Sizes Explained

Victory Nursery · Plant Size Guide

Plant Sizes

Find the right starting size without reading a nursery textbook. Compare the common sizes, then see what is available for the plant you want.

Landscape Containers Indoor Pots Box Trees Local Delivery

Start Here

Most Popular Sizes

These four sizes cover many common residential landscape and mature-tree projects.

Outdoor Plants

Landscape Containers

Smaller sizes favor quantity and value. Larger sizes give the landscape more presence sooner.

Mulflat Groundcovers View size → 1 Gallon Small starter View size → 2 Gallon Small landscape View size → 3 Gallon Established starter View size → Popular 5 Gallon Everyday landscape View size → 7 Gallon Medium landscape View size → 10 Gallon More established View size → Most Popular 15 Gallon Strong starting presence View size → 20 Gallon Large landscape View size → 24 Gallon Large mature container View size →

Mature Trees

Box Tree Sizes

More years at the nursery. More size on delivery. Less waiting for the landscape to look established.

24" Mature Starting Size A major step up from smaller landscape containers. View 24" Box → 30" Larger Presence More scale between 24" and 36" box sizes. View 30" Box → 36" Large Specimen Substantial trees with heavier handling needs. View 36" Box → 48" Major Specimen Large-project scale with planned delivery and placement. View 48" Box →

Indoor & Decorative

Inch Pot Sizes

The inch size refers to the nursery pot, not the plant height.

4"

Indoor Starter

16"

Floor Plant

Quick Decision

Choose by Your Goal

01

More Plants

Start around 1–5 Gallon

Good for larger planting quantities when you have time for plants to fill in.

02

Faster Privacy

Compare 5–15 Gallon

A practical range for balancing coverage, handling and cost.

03

Immediate Impact

Start with 24" Box+

More established material when the landscape needs presence now.

Container size ≠ exact plant height

Height, canopy and fullness vary by species, variety, season and current nursery inventory.

Not sure which size?

Send us the plant name, quantity, ZIP code and the result you want. We can help narrow down the practical options.

Ask Victory Nursery

Plant sizes shown here are nursery container categories and planning references. Actual plant dimensions, form and availability vary by variety and current inventory.

Features:Foliage: Pinnate compound leaves with 10-16 lanceolate leaflets, turning fiery red/orange in fall,Flowers: Insignificant greenish panicles (spring),Fruit: Clusters of red berries ripening to blue-black,Bark: Flaky gray-brown with attractive mottled texture,Growth Habit: Umbrella-shaped crown with spreading branches
Mature Height: 25-35 ft
Mature Width: 25-35 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 ft/year)
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Spectacular fall color,Exceptional drought tolerance,Pest and disease resistant,Urban pollution tolerant,Low maintenance
Landscape Uses:Shade tree for lawns,Street tree,Park plantings,Xeriscape gardens,Autumn color specimens

Q: Is it messy?
A: The standard female tree can be. The fall leaf drop is brilliant but creates litter, and the clusters of small red berries can drop and stain pavements. Planting it over a lawn or garden bed is ideal. For a cleaner option with the same fall color, choose the male ‘Keith Davey’cultivar.

Q: How fast does it grow?
A: It has a moderate growth rate, typically 1-2 feet per year once established. It may be slow for the first few years as it develops a strong root system, then growth accelerates. It’s a tree planted for the long term.

Is Chinese Pistache suitable for California climates?
Yes. It performs exceptionally well in both coastal and inland California, thanks to its heat and drought tolerance.

Does it really turn red every fall?
In full sun and normal seasonal conditions, fall color is very consistent—one of the tree’s strongest advantages.

How much maintenance does it need?
Very little. The tree naturally forms a balanced shape and only needs occasional structural pruning.

Is this tree better for front yards or backyards?
Both. It’s commonly used as a front-yard statement tree or as a shade tree in larger backyard spaces.

Is Chinese Pistache good for homeowners without gardening experience?
Yes. It’s considered a low-stress, high-reward tree that doesn’t require specialized care.