Re: Schinus molle
- Subject: Re: Schinus molle
- From: C*
- Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 11:23:18 -0700
Athought from a Pepper tree lover:
I've always thought that pepper trees make a great outdoor room---instead of
planting under them, haul out some chairs and a table and enjoy the shade
above and the carpet below. Brushing the leaves off before you sit down will
be the only labor. Hang a lantern from a branch, then if it's warm enough
you can enjoy the space in the evening. The leaves make a nice blend with
gravel for a floor below the canopy. But then I'm a pretty lazy gardener
these days (nine months pregnant), so I'm not fighting any natural
tendencies!
Laura
on 10/23/01 2:00 PM, Carol Joynson at CarolJ@minimed.com wrote:
> When I mentioned to a nursery man that I was putting my vegetables near a
> pepper tree I was warned about using the leaves as mulch. But, like
> yourself, I haven't found any other references, except to contact dermititis
> in humans... The parts of the garden that get the litter seem to thrive,
> particularly tomatoes (the herbalists mention anti-fungal, anti-bacterial
> qualities for the Shinus). However, under the tree itself, the shade is
> very dense, the litter is very deep, and I make sure not to water because
> the pepper tree is susceptible to root rot (clay soil). They are considered
> an invasive weed in Florida, and one of their listed flaws is shading out
> the competition. In the year since I cleared the ground under the tree, an
> inch to two inches of stuff has already accumulated: leaves, little
> blossoms, unidentified detritus. The tree drips, drops and litters
> constantly. My partner can count the amount of time I spent "gardening" in
> the chair under the tree by the amount of trash in my hair, and uncovering
> the plants near the edges of the canopy is a regular chore. But it is cool
> and lovely in high summer.
>
> Carol
> L.A., two ridges north of the river.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ryan Gyurkovitz [r*@verizon.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 9:46 AM
> To: Medit newsgroup
> Subject: Schinus molle
>
>
> I have noticed that pepper trees (naturalized) don't seem to have any
> understory growth beneath them apart from a few suckers or seedlings. Is
> this because of allelopathy or merely the dense shade, heavy litter and
> dry conditions? I have been checking my various reference books as well
> as the internet and have been unable to locate any specific information.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Ryan Gyurkovitz
> 34.5N Coastal California (Oxnard Plain)
>
