Plant Name:  California Pepper Tree

Botanical Name:  Schinus molle

Origin: Native to Peruvian Andes

Height/Physical Description:  Fast growing evergreen tree, 25 to 40 feet tall and wide.  Bright green leaves have many narrow leaflets with small white flowers in Summer that are followed by red berries.

Special Attributes:  Beautiful canopy with graceful drooping growth habit.  Excellent choice for shading a play area or graveled outdoor space.  Be careful to keep it away from paving, sewers or drains.  Needs a spacious area for its large roots to grow.

Purchasing:  Private nurseries and online.

Planting Requirements: No special soil is required except to have good drainage.  Plant in Fall or Winter to allow tree to get established.  

Watering:  Young trees require a moderate amount of water until established especially between the months of March through May to support the tree’s new growth.  Do not water next to the base of the tree as this could result in root rot diseases.  Water only over the outer third of the root system to encourage roots to grow outward.  Once established, needs little to no water.

Fertilizing:  Compost can be added but away from the base of the tree.

Pruning:  Periodic grooming may be required to remove dead or cross branches.  Prune trees only when they are dormant.  For deciduous trees, prune when leaves have completely dropped off; for evergreens, prune when weather is dry or during the dry season (mid to late Summer) to avoid mildew and fungal diseases.

Pest:  Insect borers, scale.

Diseases:  Root rot.

Additional Information:  Sunset zones 12 to 24.  This tree produces copious litter so avoidance from paving is recommended.