What's eating my chinese pistachio?

Chinese Pistachio is primarily an ornamental and street tree; its small resinous fruits are rarely harvested. Main pest threats are aphids that cause leaf curl and honeydew mess, and occasional scale insects on stems. It is notably drought-tough and largely pest-resistant compared to fruiting Pistacia vera — no serious insect threats normally require treatment.

Leaf curl on new growth in spring; honeydew drips onto surfaces below; sooty mold follows heavy infestations Strong water jet to dislodge colonies; insecticidal soap or neem oil if persistent; natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings) usually control populations by early summer

Crusty or waxy bumps on stems and branches; heavy infestations cause dieback of individual shoots; honeydew promotes sooty mold Dormant horticultural oil spray in late winter; targeted scrubbing of small infestations; systemic neonicotinoids only as last resort on ornamental trees