Botanical Name: Schinus molle
Common Name: California pepper
Type of Plant: dicot: tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an erect, single or multi-trunked tree, with heavy scaffold branches and outer drooping branchlets forming a large, loose, rounded canopy; the bark is light brown, rough; plant becomes massive with age
Height 25-40' (50')
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun preferred; tolerates partial at inland locations
Soil tolerates most except wet poorly drained clay soils
Hardiness hardy to 20 F (zones 8, 9, 12-24); thrives in hot desert
 
Morphology:
Leaves odd-pinnately compound, alternate, 10-18" long; of numerous lanceolate leaflets, each 1-2 1/2" long, with serrate margins; leaves have sap
Flowers dioecious; tiny white 5-petaled flowers; 10 stamens per flower; late spring
Fruit a drupe; rose-colored, 1/8" diameter, in clusters
 
Propagation:
seed (can be very invasive)
 
Usage:
a large-scale shade tree; widely used as a big accent tree for its spreading form, rugged branch structure, and light green foliage; best for informal landscapes where the messiness is not a problem
 
Landscape Care:
Watering little is needed; plant is very drought-tolerant after established, therefore desirable for water-conserving landscapes
Fertilizing very little is needed
Pruning stake and head high when young;remove suckers and deadwood
Pests/Diseases root rot in wet, poorly-drained soils
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Peru
Family: Anacardiaceae

Notes:
 
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