Update on the Health of California Pepper Trees (Schinus Molle) in Ladera Ranch
Over the past year, LARMAC has observed a significant health decline in our California Pepper trees (Schinus molle) throughout the community. These trees make up approximately 7% of the total urban forest we manage, which amounts to over 3,000 trees. Notably, 35% of those affected trees are located in the Covenant Hills neighborhood, where the 1,087 trees represent 10% of the total tree population in that area.
With the assistance of an independent plant pathologist from Plant Pulse Diagnostics, we have been able to confirm and monitor the factors contributing to this decline. In response, an action plan was implemented that included the removal of severely affected trees, treatment of approximately 35% of the remaining trees, continued monitoring, and selective removal of trees showing severe disease pathogens.
This Fall, LARMAC will continue with the recommended plant health care treatments, which will be conducted at night to minimize the impact to Ladera residents. The pathologist assisting us is a co-author of a published study, A Preliminary Investigation of the New and Serious Malady of Schinus molle Canopy Thinning. This comprehensive two-part paper, compiled by several researchers, consultants, and arborists over the past few years, includes data from many communities around Ladera Ranch.
