Make A Pistachio Tree Thrive This Winter With Some Sage Advice

Pistachio trees (Pistacia vera) are becoming very popular among gardeners thanks to their long lifespan, drought tolerance, and rewarding harvests. Areas where pistachio trees grow the best are found in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 11. Locations where summers are hot and dry and winters stay relatively mild and not overly moist are ideal. Pistachios are one of the best nut trees to grow in your yard, but they can take a little while to start producing fruit, so it's important to be patient. Although they are strong, easy to care for, and virtually pest-free once established, pistachio trees still need attention as late fall and winter roll around and the temperatures drop. To keep your pistachio trees healthy and producing lots of nuts year after year, it's important to understand how to help them thrive in the winter by pruning and protecting the trees from frost and extreme cold temperatures.

Pruning plays a major role in shaping the tree for strong growth and improving nut production in the future. During the winter when the trees are dormant, removing damaged or out of place branches sets the stage for better airflow, stronger tree limbs, and easier harvesting. At the same time, severe cold snaps and unexpected frost, especially in late spring, can harm young trees and developing buds, so proper protective measures are crucial to keep your trees healthy.

Pruning properly and at the right time is important for the health and well-being of your pistachio trees for many reasons. With the right knowledge, you can avoid making these common mistakes when pruning your trees. The best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring while the tree is dormant. Pruning helps keep the tree in good shape and allows better air and light circulation, therefore improving the harvest. When you remove dead or damaged branches, the tree can focus all its energy on growing healthy branches. There are a few different types of pruning you may use on your tree during its lifetime: training pruning, performed during the first five years of the tree's life with the purpose of getting it established properly; maintenance pruning, which maintains the size and overall shape of the tree; production pruning, which increases nut production and quality; and renewal pruning, done on older trees with the purpose of renewing the tree and giving it a second go round at nut production and growth. 

If you are expecting freezing weather or frost, there are some things you can do to protect your pistachio trees. Keep frost cloth on hand so you have what you need before the frost hits. Wrap the canopy of the tree and the trunk with the frost cloth, not too tightly, to provide insulation from frost. In addition to the cloth, use lights around your trees. Incandescent Christmas lights work well for this task. LED lights will not work due to the fact that they do not put out enough heat. The lights are great along with the cloth, but are not as effective by themselves.