Tree of the week

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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