How to plant and grow pistachio tree
Advice on how and where to plant and grow pistachio trees.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is a small deciduous tree or shrub growing to around 6m. It produces hard-shelled nuts – the familiar pistachio nut. Pistachio trees are dioecious, meaning they produce male and female flowers on different trees. Both male and female trees are needed to ensure successful nut production.
Pistachios thrive in regions with hot summers and cold winters, where temperatures don’t drop below freezing. They need regular watering, but don’t do well in humid conditions. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Can pistachio trees grow in the UK?
Pistachio trees originate from southwestern and central Asia, and they grow best in areas with hot summers and frost-free winters where temperatures drop below 7°C for at least six weeks. You could try to grow a pistachio tree in the UK, but they would require a very sheltered, frost-free position and it would be very unlikely to fruit. Pistachio nut trees are rarely offered for sale in the UK and, if the trees are expensive, it’s worth bearing in mind the possibility they might die in cold weather.
Identifying pistachios trees
Pistachio trees have rough, ridged bark and pinnate leaves with opposing pairs of thick, leathery leaflets.
How to grow a pistachio tree
Pistachio nut trees need hot summers and cold winters, where temperatures don’t drop below freezing. If you have these conditions, grow in deep, well-drained soil in an open spot in full sun. Water regularly and remove dead and damaged wood in winter. Harvest the nuts when their hulls start to open.
Where to plant a pistachio tree
Grow pistachio trees in deep, well-drained soil in an open spot in full sun. Water regularly.
How to plant a pistachio tree
Early spring is the ideal time to plant a pistachio tree. Dig a deep, wide planting hole that's large enough to accommodate the entire root system. Ensure the top of the root ball is at soil level, firm in well, water in and mulch the soil with compost or chipped bark to improve moisture retention and discourage weed growth. Then stake the tree.
How to care for a pistachio tree
If you've got the right conditions for a pistachio tree, it requires relatively little attention once established. Prune in winter, cutting out damaged, diseased and dead material. Maintain a clear trunk for 1m and then let the tree develop a spreading crown. Branches may need to be thinned as the tree grows, but avoid pruning as much as possible.
For good harvests in suitable areas, water your tree regularly, ensuring water gets down to the roots. If you are growing a pistachio tree in the UK, protect it from frost by planting in a sheltered spot, mulching and wrapping the trunk with burlap or fleece in the winter.
How to harvest pistachios
Pistachio trees will only produce nuts if you're growing both male and female trees. Trees take at least five years to start cropping and reach maximum productivity at around 15 to 20 years. They tend to be biennial, producing good crops in alternate years. Even if you can keep your pistachio tree alive, it is extremely unlikely to produce nuts in the UK. However, if you do manage to get your pistachio tree to fruit, harvest the nuts when the hulls start to split open.
Advice on buying pistachio trees
- Make sure you have a suitable spot before buying a pistachio tree. Most areas of the UK aren't suitable for growing this species
- Buy trees from a reputable supplier that sells certified disease-free stock to avoid the spread of pests and diseases
- Check the tree for pests and diseases before buying or as soon as you receive it
Where to buy pistachio trees
Frequently asked questions
Are pistachios difficult to grow?Yes, pistachios are difficult to grow in unsuitable conditions. In areas with long hot summers with over 600 hours at temperatures over 30°C, and winters where the temperature drops to below 7°C for around six weeks without reaching freezing, they should grow and crop well, but in other areas the trees and their nuts will suffer.
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