jardimseco
This small drought tolerate deciduous tree can grow up to 9 metres, although the canopy spread often exceeds the tree's height. It is often used as a rootstock for the pistachio nut, P. vera, something that alludes to this native specie's strength and ability to make the best of whatever the soil and climatic conditions are. It supposedly grows best in a sandy to stony alkaline soil, but it can be found on most soils throughout Southern Portugal, modern agriculture and fire are probably the main restrictions it faces. Whatever the conditions, it is worth planting, as there are few trees as tough as the Terebinth. Like its close relative, Pistacia lentiscus, we think of them as scrubby shrubs, but this is only because they were under-valued in the agricultural economy and had to make way for fruiting trees such as the olive, carob and almond, rarely were they allowed to mature. As the agricultural landscape was abandoned, we have hillsides packed with teenage Pistacia's, their day will come.
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Perfectly suited to the conditions here, the attractive autumn foliage colour, bright red fruits in late summer and excellent wildlife habitat make it a valuable specimen in a garden. If you are re-wilding or recovering what's left of your soil, you can't afford to not use them. If water is scarce, young trees are best encouraged to grow as a multi-stemmed tree, providing more canopy and visual impact than with a single trunk. Don't be scared to plant them up against surface rock outcrops. In the same way as wild Olive, their roots will find a way around them and reward you with a shady spot to sit on for years to come.
Pistacia terebinthus, natural range - Giovanni Caudullo, CC BY 4.0
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You can make an order by selecting plants with quantities and putting them in your Shopping Bag.
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By placing an order you are not obligated to purchase the plants online and you will not be asked for any payment at this stage.
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We will confirm prices, availability and delivery/collection dates with you by email.
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Only when all the details of your order are agreed, will we send you an agreed Factura/Invoice and request payment from you.
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Once an order is agreed we require a 50% payment to secure the plants. Plants in the shopping basket are not reserved until an order is placed.
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Availability - the store contains 3 availability categories
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Plants ready for despatch, collection within 14 days
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Plants we have but they are still growing into their containers. These are offered for reservation and will be released once they are ready. An estimated date for their availability is given.
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Plants that we only hold a limited stock of, or only propagate occasionally or on demand. This also includes plants we are going to propagate in the near future.
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Read more on our plant availability and advance orders here