This medium size tree has a narrow dome habit when young becoming broad with age with a gnarled and rough greyish trunk. It has dark green fern-like leaves and the small white male and female flowers appear in a cluster during spring followed by red fruit. 

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Schinus areira is naturally found in northern Peru from sea level to an altitude of 3,400 m (11,154 ft) in the Andes growing on coastal mountains and interior valleys along dry river beds or in arid regions. It prefers a well drained, moist to dry sandy-stony to clay loam that is moderately fertile and grows in an open sunny position and is drought and mildly frost resistant.

The Peppercorn Tree is grown for its pendant foliage and its spreading crown. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen for shade or used along rivers for bank binding. It is suitable for drier inland regions or coastal positions and establishes in 3 to 5 years. It is also planted in commercial landscapes with a softening effect and requireing little care once established. ID 11

Note:
Care should be taken when selecting a site as the tree will naturalise in drier areas and may become a weed.

Schinus (sh-EE-nus) areira (are-ee-rah)

‘Schinus’: ancient Greek name for a similar tree; ‘areira’: the local Peruvian name for this tree.

Anacardiaceae (an-a-kard-ee-AY-see-ee)