Pistachio Tree

The pistachio tree is small, up to 10 m, and spreading. Leaves are compound-pinnate, hairy when young, later glabrous; they are alternate, deciduous or evergreen, pinnate, more rarely trifoliate or simple. The fruits are semi-dry drupes with edible seeds. They have an external, fleshy hull that loosens from the nut at maturity, but must be removed either by hand or mechanically. The tree requires long, hot summers (mean temperatures ≥ 30°C for 98–110 days) and moderate winters with at least 1000 hours ≤ 7°C . Trees thrive in fine sandy loams, but can tolerate saline, alkaline and calcareous soils.