I am the originator of the first thread on this subject and I can tell you that the trees I saw growing in Italy this past September where growing in a costal town below Salerno which happens to be in zone 10. I know for a fact that at times in the winter I have seen water freeze on the roads that was running down from the mountains rock face on to the highway. So it does get cold there but it is not a cold that is sustained for a long period of time like here in PA in zone 5 where I live. So from the info gathered here learning that it most likely is not a fake tree it looks like I can forget trying or wanting to grow one of them in my yard. I can't keep it indoors because I have to many other type trees growing and wintering over in my home now. Under lights and on windowsills. I think they make a very nice presentation in a yard - at least the ones I saw in Italy. To bad!!!! Lou

Mackel in DFW: Are you saying the tree I'm asking about is a male Pistacia chinensis? Also, as for the link you provided to the "Pearl Street" pistache: are you saying that is the tree I photographed? Sorry, I'm not at all a tree expert, but I think I'm tracking with you! Dan: I will do the leaf crush check when I go to the nursery this weekend. Thank you! Sincerely, qwerty

Nope, definitely not Euonymus europaeus. The berries weren't arranged or as numerous as on the photos I looked at of the euonymous. The leaves on this tree were thick and waxy, very glossy. I'm certain it was an evergreen. I'm sure it gets more beautiful in my memory as the time goes on :-) It probably was some type of holly. I don't think it was a Yaupon holly. The edges of the leaves seemed to be reflexed back. For all I know, it wouldn't grow in either PA or FL, so if I never ID it, I'll survive. But I do appreciate all the knowledge and guesses shared. Sorry I didn't take that photo! Marcia

I know that houses in this town had a general appearance at that time (1895) of white picket fences and black locust trees lining the street. The locust stumps seem to last forever. Black walnut trees were around as well. There were also long perennial borders, but that's the concern of the local garden club members. The town has encouraged the planting of newer honeylocust and locust cultivars in the historic zone along with appropriate fencing. That's why they're interested in old photos and discovering what was really used in this area, where the soil is deep clay and quite different from much of the rest of the county. Thanks to all of you who can discern so much from an old photograph.