Farm & Ranch
The Garden Guy – The Chinese Pistache Tree
By Norman Winter
The flaming fall foliage of the Chinese pistache trees stands as visual testaments that they are indeed champions of color. The fiery oranges, reds and yellows scream as if to say, “Look at me.” Believe me, you will, and if you are packing a camera, you will take a photo. They are not to be ignored.
When I was director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, I would walk by an old specimen every day and then out of the blue, so to speak, I noticed an old USDA tag hanging down that said it was planted in 1938. Happy 80th birthday!
This tree stands as one of the true testaments to one of our country’s great plant exploration acquisitions, the Chinese pistache. This was discovered by plant explorer and horticultural hero, if you will, Frank Meyer.
If you are not familiar with the Chinese pistache, botanically speaking it is known as Pistacia chinensis. I first became acquainted with the Chinese pistache when it was selected as a Texas Super Star Winner. Texas fall color is sometimes hard to come by, but this tree is rock solid and reliable. In California, it has been used as a rootstock for the delicious pistachio nut trees, though other species have now been chosen.
The Chinese pistache is also drought tolerant. It is recommended in places like New Mexico and Arizona and is native to Western China. When selecting your location, keep in mind that it does not like wet winter feet, so choose a site that drains well.
It is cold hardy from zones six through nine, meaning from St. Louis to Orlando, gardeners can relish the dark green leaves that become a blaze of fall color.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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