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California Pepper Tree, Peruvian Pepper, False Pepper
Schinus molle

Climate Resiliency 2 out of 5 stars

Upright, narrow to rounded, irregular, weeping habit. Interesting pealing bark. 6 to 12 inches long leaves divided into many leaflets. Linear leaflets are often curved, with pointed tips and smooth to widely-toothed margins. Clusters of tiny flowers. Long, hanging clusters of berries that ripen to a rosy red. Red skin can be pealed away to show hard brown-black 'peppercorns'. Foliage and fruit have a peppery odor when crushed. Fruit produced on female trees only. Heavy litter from foliage, branchlet, and fruit drop. Prune for proper form when young and as needed when mature. Branches may be susceptible to wind breakage. Tends to invasive surface roots. Invasive roots can crack and heave pipes, walls, pavement, and building foundations. Susceptible to heart rot, root knot nematodes, scale, and Texas root rot.

• Plant type: Tree
• Maintenance level: High, Medium
• Water requirement: Medium, Low
• Sun exposure: Full, Morning Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
• Height range: 20–40 Feet
• Width range: 20–40 Feet
• Growth rate: Fast
• Seasonal habit: Evergreen
• Flower color: White
• Flower season: Spring, Winter
• Fruit color: Red, Pink
• Fruit season: Summer, Autumn
• General foliage color: Green
• Hardiness cold tolerance: 15 °F
• Soil preference: Well Drained
• Canopy value: 530 ft²
• Native location: Peruvian Andes
• PH preference: Not Particular
• Sunset zones: 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
• USDA hardiness zone: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

Plant characteristic definitions