Latin name: Pistacia vera.
Other name: pistachio.
Origin: mediterranean basin.
Colour: green brown (pistachio).
This shrub native to the Middle East (Syria) produces pistachios that are eaten as an aperitif or used in pastry or as an ice cream fragrance. The latter was imported from Syria by a Roman governor, Lucius Vitellius and was acclimatized to the western Mediterranean regions. Pistachier comes from the Greek pistakê.
The natural wood of the pistachio tree is also known as terebinth. The pistachio tree is a tree in the Anacardiaceae family, known for its resistance to arid conditions and its ability to thrive in difficult environments.
Botanically, pistachio wood has a medium density with medium to coarse pores. It has a color ranging from light brown to dark brown with darker veins, which gives it an attractive and natural appearance. Its texture is generally fine and uniform, thus facilitating its work and shaping.
In terms of physical properties, pistachio wood is known to be hard and resistant, offering excellent durability. It is also known for its dimensional stability, which means that it is less likely to deform or crack in response to changes in humidity. These features make it a popular material in various craft applications, including cabinetmaking.
The pistachio wood offers many creative possibilities. Its warm colour and distinctive veins make it an attractive material for making furniture, decorative objects and sculptures. The cabinetmaker also appreciates the ease with which pistachio wood can be worked, carved and polished to obtain smooth and aesthetically pleasant finishes.
