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| Does anyone have any experience with the California Pepper Tree? It was recommended to me by a local nursery in lieu of a Weeping Willow. Is it a messy tree? Poisonous to dogs? |
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| California pepper (a native of Peru) are dioecious, meaning there are male and female plants. The female trees produce seed containing an allergenic substance that can irritate the mucus membrane. These trees typically struggle in the metro Phoenix area but do better in Tucson. I'd opt for a Desert Willow. Stunning pink flowers from May - October, attract hummingbirds, doves love the small seeds, doesn't need much maintenance. I love the silouette of the branches against the winter sky. |
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- Posted by every1lovesjoey none (My Page) on Tue, Dec 4, 12 at 22:05
| Thank you I appreciate your feedback. I do have a Desert Willow and love it! I'm looking for a large dramatic tree in the middle of my yard to shade the yard and create a focal point. |
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| Our neighbor had a pepper tree that overhung our patio. We loved it for the dappled shade and the privacy from his second story windows, but it was definitely a messy tree, with constant leaf and small branch drop, and blossom drop in the spring. Every year there was at least one major branch that died back and had to be cut off, and finally last year, the dieback overwhelmed the tree and he had to take it out. I don't think he took very good care of it (you'll notice the green part of the tree was overlooking our yard, where it actually got water). I miss the tree, but I don't miss the mess and the constant dieback, and I certainly wouldn't plant one where I had to clean up after it.
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- Posted by every1lovesjoey none (My Page) on Wed, Dec 5, 12 at 12:23
| Thanks for the photo! It looked like it could have been a beautiful tree. |
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| What about a thornless Honey Mesquite?? The leaves are very similar to California Pepper but it never has the yellow / chlorotic look of the pepper. It has a graceful, weeping form and will grow to the size you indicate you want. Here's a link to the one grown by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in the west valley. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Thornless Honey Mesquite
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- Posted by every1lovesjoey none (My Page) on Thu, Dec 6, 12 at 0:44
| Thanks for the recommendation. That's a great option! |
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