Tree of the week
Good morning, Jake Locker, in our part of town it's a spectacular day. As we do on Saturdays, we now turn the blog over to our tree-loving friend Pieter Severynen, who joins us with "Tree of the Week."
California Pepper Tree – Schinus molle
The California Pepper Tree is as much part of our missions as the olive tree or the edible fig. Yet the first tree here was only planted in 1830 in Mission San Luis Rey, in what is now the city of Oceanside. That once magnificent tree is still alive, but in declining health. Notwithstanding its name, the tree is native to the Peruvian Andes.
The California Pepper Tree is a fast-growing evergreen, to 25-40’ tall and wide. On older trees the trunk becomes heavy, gnarled and twisted, full of burls that sprout small branches. The strong limbs carry gently drooping branchlets, which are clothed with bright green leaves composed of tiny leaflets. The overall effect is of gracefully weeping clusters of foliage. Yellowish white summer flowers develop into pink pepper corns which are edible but should be consumed only in moderation since they can cause an upset stomach.
The tree is drought resistant. It is beautiful in the right setting: lots of room, away from sewer lines, drains and pavement, where the greedy surface roots and the copious litter of leaves and branchlets don’t matter. It is not a tree for the tidy tiny city lot.
Thanks, Pieter
Email Pieter: plseve@earthlink.net
Photo Credit: Hotgardens.net
Also to add to the right location for it is away from cars or homes as the branches occasionally fall in wind storms. And they tend to have a strong smell that you will either love or hate.
I love these trees.
Posted by: Inland Empire | September 30, 2007 at 08:31 AM
This tree , as it was mentioned is originally from Peru. The name is Peruvian Pepper Tree, and I can not understand why a respectable newspaper like the LA Times follows suit in changing the name of a tree in such unwarranted fashion. Should people in France call the Washingtonia Fan Palm ( native to US ) a "French Palm" ?
Please streighten the record, the name of this tree is "Peruvian Pepper Tree"
Posted by: Jaime | August 04, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Peter, when are you going to do 'Top Ten Poisonous Plants of the World?'
I am not suggesting we plant those along the borders, but it's good to know so people don't inadvertently have a Manchineel in their yards.
Also, it would be nice to have a 'Ridiculously Priced House of the Week' story to supplement the regular 'Tree of the Week' here in LALand.
Posted by: MyLessThanPrimeBeef | August 04, 2008 at 09:19 AM