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Propagating Schinus molle

>From: vtolson@juno.com (Victoria T. Olson)
>Subject: Propagating Schinus molle
>Sender: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
>Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 20:28:28 -0800
>
>
> Anyone with suggestions for propagating Schinus molle, the California
> pepper tree?    <snip>

Victoria -

I hope folks have provided you with some useful information about
propagating Schinus molle.  As this is one of my favorite trees, I
thought I'd add a bit of a description for those unfamiliar:

The California Pepper Tree, Schinus molle, is not uncommon here in
the SF Bay Region, but perhaps it is less known that it should be.
Due to it ultimately large size and tendancy to uplift pavement, it
is certainly something worth placing carefully.  But for a beautiful
light canopy of shade, and interesting form and texture, it can't be
beat.

Also called the Peruvian Mastic Tree, the specific epithat 'molle',
comes from the Peruvian name for the tree, 'mulli'.  This tree is
native to the American tropics, but is apparently hardy to 15oF.

The feathery leaves of this handsome, evergreen tree, create a
filtered light which is pleasant to sit under.  In full sun, copious
amounts of rose 'berries' are produced at this time of year
(fall/winter) which are much sought for floral arrangement for the
holidays (especially by my wife!).  Being mere inflated capsules,
these dry easily and last well.  Some people object to the litter of
these fruits, and small broken branchlets after a storm, but then
what tree does not cause this problem.  The heavy, thick, knarled
trunks produce real character with age, adding distinction to a
nearby patio or sitting area.  Completely heat and drought tolerant
once established, this species has been planted with great success
along hiways and public plantings in our hot interior valleys, their
wonderful form being a welcome alternative to Oleanders used to
excess in years past!  This species is also tolerant of poor
dranainge.

A favorite family stop on the drive home from cutting our Xmas tree
(out in the Mt. Diablo area, east of here) is to stop at a grove of
trees along the hiway and gather Pepper berries to decorate the
house (the kids love it as well!).  These, along with Buckeye nits
(Aesculus californica) and various lichens we find, figure large in
our personal holiday traditions.

If you have the space, and especially if you have spanish influenced
architecture to compliment, and a large gravel or unpaved sitting
area, I highly recommend Schinus molle.

Schinus terebinthifolius, also common in our area, is a very
different tree with its own set of merits.

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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