The Red Push Pistache (Pistacia x ‘Red Push’) is a resilient, long-lived deciduous tree valued for its ornamental characteristics and seasonal color. This cultivar is a hybrid, typically between the Atlas Pistache (Pistacia atlantica) and the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis or P. integerrima), which grants it vigor and adaptability. Its primary appeal lies in its three-phase seasonal foliage: new growth emerges with a distinctive coppery-red tint, matures to a dense, dark green in summer, and then transforms into a spectacular display of fiery red, orange, and yellow hues in the fall. Its moderate growth rate and tolerance for heat and drought once established make it an excellent shade tree for urban and arid landscapes.
Site Selection and Initial Planting
Successful establishment begins with selecting a location that provides full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fall color. While the tree is adaptable to various soil compositions, proper drainage is required, as excessive moisture can lead to root issues. It performs well in a wide range of soil pH levels, including alkaline soils common in arid regions, and is cold-hardy for planting in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 11.
The planting process requires digging a hole two to three times the width of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself. This wider hole helps the roots spread easily, and the correct depth ensures the root flare remains visible just above the soil line after planting. Backfill the hole with the original soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. A thorough initial watering is essential to settle the soil and begin the establishment phase, which lasts for the first two to three years.
Routine Care and Seasonal Upkeep
A deep and infrequent watering regimen is paramount, particularly during the establishment period, to encourage the development of a deep, extensive root system. During the first growing season, the soil should be kept consistently moist but not saturated, allowing the top layer to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Once the tree is established, it becomes highly drought-tolerant, but deep, supplemental watering during prolonged dry or hot periods will support its health and faster growth.
Fertilization should be timed to coincide with the tree’s spring growth cycle, using a general-purpose fertilizer before the new foliage emerges. For younger trees, a nitrogen-based product can help promote vigorous canopy development during the first few years. The tree’s overall health is more dependent on proper water management and soil condition than on heavy fertilization.
Pruning in the early stages focuses on developing a strong, single-trunk structure and an open, well-spaced scaffold of branches. The best time for structural pruning is the dormant season, typically late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Routinely remove basal suckers that sprout from the rootstock below the graft union, as these divert energy and lack the ‘Red Push’ characteristics. When performing maintenance pruning on mature trees, avoid removing more than 30% of the living canopy in a single season to prevent sunscald on the newly exposed bark.
Troubleshooting Common Tree Problems
The Red Push Pistache is known for its resilience, but it can still be susceptible to a few specific issues, with the most common being related to soil moisture and nutrient uptake. Root rot is a frequent problem that arises almost exclusively from overwatering or planting in poorly draining soils, causing the tree’s roots to suffocate and decay. Ensuring the soil dries out between deep waterings is the primary preventative measure against this potentially fatal fungal issue.
Despite its tolerance for alkaline soils, the Red Push Pistache may exhibit signs of iron chlorosis, a condition where the leaves turn yellow while the veins remain distinctively green. This occurs because the high pH of the soil binds the available iron, making it inaccessible to the tree’s roots. Treating this involves soil applications of chelated iron or trunk injections, which bypass the soil chemistry to deliver the nutrient directly to the plant.
While the ‘Red Push’ cultivar is often more resistant to Verticillium wilt than its Chinese Pistache parent, other pests and diseases can occasionally pose a threat. Sucking insects like aphids and scale can infest the leaves and stems, leading to distorted growth or a sticky residue known as honeydew. Borers, which are insects that tunnel into the wood, primarily target trees that are already stressed from poor watering or environmental conditions, underscoring the importance of maintaining consistent tree health.