I have just read that Pistachio is hardy down to -10C. So, has anyone
grown them in the UK and produced any nuts?

Steve

Steve Wolstenholme wrote:
I have just read that Pistachio is hardy down to -10C. So, has anyone
grown them in the UK and produced any nuts?

Although the UK winter is rarely as cold in as in its native, central
Asian haunts, it isn't as dry during that time or as searingly hot in
summer either. Pistacia seems to need somewhat extreme conditions to
do well and the roots are highly prone to rotting unless the drainage
is extremely sharp. It needs dry winters and very long hot summers to
ripen the wood sufficiently for flower bud formation, as well as
enabling the nuts to develop and mature. I suppose it may just about
'do' in the South East where rainfall is lowest, but even there it
would probably be somewhat tricky especially as a young tree. Since
Pistacia is not particularly attractive and in view of its
requirements, there seems little point in growing it except for
curiosity value.