If we only had a time machine

If we only had a time machine we could actually go back in time and stop the introduction of the Brazilian Pepper-tree into Florida in the mid-1800’s.  This classic invasive plant went from an introduced coveted ornamental, to the one of the worst and most successful invasive plants in the state of Florida.  Well, we live and we learn as the Brazilian Pepper-tree is here to stay.  But, we can push back and take care of our corner of Florida with a number of management options that will help suppress this dastardly poison-ivy relative.  How can we control the Brazilian Pepper-tree?

It is funny how a plant that started out as an ornamental and was even called “Florida Holly” at one time eventually was discovered in natural areas in the late 1950’s.  Once the Brazilian pepper-tree began to dominate parts of south Florida, many began to classify this tree an invasive exotic – a Category I Invasive considered both noxious and prohibited by the State of Florida.  Found in south Florida, as well as in protected sites in central and northern Florida, Brazilian pepper-trees colonize natural areas in stands of trees up to thirty-three feet tall.   Groups of trees form a twisted canopy of branches shading out everything below.  The bright red fruits produced are scattered by birds and mammals just about everywhere.  The seeds have a great germination rate, survival potential, and rapid growth.  This “King of Invasives” is ready to produce seeds in as little as three years! 

Other than finding and hand-picking seedlings that appear on your property, perhaps the best management suggestion is the use of certain herbicides to kill mature trees. Keep in mind - even if you are clearing Brazilian pepper on your property - to make sure that you get a permit from the County Community Development  Department before proceeding.  As Brazilian pepper is related to poison-ivy, you will want to wear protective gear to guard against, not only the potentially irritating sap and leaves, but also

the pesticide.  Using products formulated for use by homeowners such as glyphosate or triclopyr, and making sure to read the label before application,  carefully apply these to cut stumps.  Apply the herbicide to the freshly cut stump just inside the bark where the living layer of cambium tissue will rapidly take up the chemical and translocate it to the roots.  It is very important that this application be made within five minutes of the cut as the stump will begin to seal itself up after that time and prevent good herbicide transfer.  If  someone other than the  homeowner were to apply herbicides, they would need to be a Certified Applicator and have insurance.

While the cut-stump method is very popular, a basal bark application helped with the use of a penetrating oil, will actually go through the bark and kill the tree.  Foliar applications can also be used for seedlings.  While there is a seed-eating wasp present that can reduce some Brazilian pepper reproduction, and there are several other insect controls being looked at, there are no breakthrough biological controls available at this time.

The Brazilian pepper-tree is apparently here to stay.   The best you can do is push it back off your own property with focused efforts and techniques. For more information on all types of invasive plants found in our area,  please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resources:

Gioeli, K. & Langeland,  K. (2015) Brazilian Pepper-tree Control.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Hall,  D. W., Vandiver, V. V.,  Sellers, B. A. & Langeland, K. A. (2012) Brazilian Pepper-tree, Schinus terebinthifolius. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Cuda, J.P., Medal, J.C.,. Overholt, W.A , Vitorino,  M. D., &. Habeck, D.H (2013) Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Cuda,  J. P., Wheeler,  G. S. & Habeck, D. H. (2014) Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcid, (unofficial common name) Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) .  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

2013  Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council - http://www.fleppc.org/list/FLEPPCPlantList2013-PRINTABLEwithlinkstoCAIPpages.pdf .