Gardeners love Chinese
pistache trees (Pistacia
chinensis) for their graceful structure and vivid fall color. Many plant
these deciduous
trees to enjoy their fiery foliage. However, if you see your Chinese
pistache tree losing leaves during the growing season, there’s a problem. Early
Chinese pistache leaf drop or leaf yellowing often results from an irrigation
issue, but it can also signal more serious problems. Read on for tips on
handling these Chinese pistache issues.
What’s Wrong with My Chinese Pistache?
No landscape tree is entirely problem free, and this
includes Chinese pistache. This ornamental is prized for its brilliant fall
color before leaf drop, but if your Chinese pistache leaf drop starts before
summer’s end, you’ll need to evaluate the care the tree is getting and its
state of health.
Are you seeing problems with your tree and wondering: “what’s
wrong with my Chinese pistache?” Start to figure it out by evaluating the
cultural care you are giving the tree.
A healthy, established Chinese pistache will be lush with green leaves until summer’s end. At that point, the foliage turns yellow, red, or orange in a stunning autumn display. Did your tree drop leaves early, or do you see other Chinese pistache problems like yellowing or drying leaves before fall? These issues can be caused by anything from transplant adjustment to cultural issues to pests and diseases.
Chinese Pistache Problems
If you have recently transplanted the tree, especially a
mature specimen, into your backyard, the pistache can require several years
before it recovers from the shock. Any Chinese pistache issues that develop in
that period may well disappear the following year.
If you spot a well-established Chinese pistache losing
leaves in summer, or if the leaves change color or wilt early, take a look at
the amount of water the tree is getting. Improper irrigation is a top cause of
these Chinese pistache problems.
Too little irrigation or too much can cause Chinese pistache
leaf drop. Has your region seen unusual periods of drought this year? That
could be the problem. Provide additional irrigation during dry stretches so
that the tree gets the water it needs.
If you’ve seen lots of rain this year, your tree may be
getting too much water. You’ll want to stop providing supplemental irrigation
during wet periods. It’s also wise to check drainage and aerate the soil.
Chinese pistache leaf drop may not be related to irrigation.
If your tree is getting the same water it usually gets, yet you notice
yellowing or falling leaves, it may be pests or disease.
Sucking bugs, like aphids
and scale,
can attack a Chinese pastiche tree, causing yellowed, distorted leaves. Look
for tiny aphid bugs with pear-shaped bodies grouping on the leaves. Soft scales
on leaves look more like small bumps on twigs and foliage. Wash off the pests
with soapy water or non-toxic products.
Finally, a Chinese pistache losing leaves can be a sign of a
serious fungal disease called verticillium
wilt. You’ll see yellowed, curled leaves on lower branches that fall
early. This disease cannot be cured, but you can often prevent it by providing
the tree with well-draining soil.
Gardeners love Chinese
pistache trees (Pistacia
chinensis) for their graceful structure and vivid fall color. Many plant
these deciduous
trees to enjoy their fiery foliage. However, if you see your Chinese
pistache tree losing leaves during the growing season, there’s a problem. Early
Chinese pistache leaf drop or leaf yellowing often results from an irrigation
issue, but it can also signal more serious problems. Read on for tips on
handling these Chinese pistache issues.
What’s Wrong with My Chinese Pistache?
No landscape tree is entirely problem free, and this
includes Chinese pistache. This ornamental is prized for its brilliant fall
color before leaf drop, but if your Chinese pistache leaf drop starts before
summer’s end, you’ll need to evaluate the care the tree is getting and its
state of health.
Are you seeing problems with your tree and wondering: “what’s
wrong with my Chinese pistache?” Start to figure it out by evaluating the
cultural care you are giving the tree.
A healthy, established Chinese pistache will be lush with green leaves until summer’s end. At that point, the foliage turns yellow, red, or orange in a stunning autumn display. Did your tree drop leaves early, or do you see other Chinese pistache problems like yellowing or drying leaves before fall? These issues can be caused by anything from transplant adjustment to cultural issues to pests and diseases.
Chinese Pistache Problems
If you have recently transplanted the tree, especially a
mature specimen, into your backyard, the pistache can require several years
before it recovers from the shock. Any Chinese pistache issues that develop in
that period may well disappear the following year.
If you spot a well-established Chinese pistache losing
leaves in summer, or if the leaves change color or wilt early, take a look at
the amount of water the tree is getting. Improper irrigation is a top cause of
these Chinese pistache problems.
Too little irrigation or too much can cause Chinese pistache
leaf drop. Has your region seen unusual periods of drought this year? That
could be the problem. Provide additional irrigation during dry stretches so
that the tree gets the water it needs.
If you’ve seen lots of rain this year, your tree may be
getting too much water. You’ll want to stop providing supplemental irrigation
during wet periods. It’s also wise to check drainage and aerate the soil.
Chinese pistache leaf drop may not be related to irrigation.
If your tree is getting the same water it usually gets, yet you notice
yellowing or falling leaves, it may be pests or disease.
Sucking bugs, like aphids
and scale,
can attack a Chinese pastiche tree, causing yellowed, distorted leaves. Look
for tiny aphid bugs with pear-shaped bodies grouping on the leaves. Soft scales
on leaves look more like small bumps on twigs and foliage. Wash off the pests
with soapy water or non-toxic products.
Finally, a Chinese pistache losing leaves can be a sign of a
serious fungal disease called verticillium
wilt. You’ll see yellowed, curled leaves on lower branches that fall
early. This disease cannot be cured, but you can often prevent it by providing
the tree with well-draining soil.