Tree ID

[Andy Chen]

I was in Long Beach, CA for the WWD 2017 celebration two weeks ago. Driving around the LA area I saw these trees that remind me of mesquite but I know they are not. Can someone help me identify these trees? They don't have any flowers or fruit (seed pods) at this time.

Thanks.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I was in Phoenix on a business trip many years ago and saw trees that looked like that. It was a blazing hot summer and they were about the only thing that would pass for a shade tree as I recall. I asked about them while discussing their 120 degree mild summer, but I can't remember what they were. I would guess Eve's Necklace except that you said it doesn't have seed pods. It might be some type of acacia.

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

For what it's worth, I used to get down to Long Beach once or twice a year for a while and I remember seeing trees just like that with seed pods... I can't remember exactly, but I think the seed pods started to come loose in the fall...so maybe it is Eve's Necklace? A local told me the name of the tree, and after just looking up the genus, Styphnolobium sounds right—I remember asking multiple times to try to get the pronunciation right.

On the other hand, maybe your trees Andy are just a lookalike.

 

[Bill Boehme]

We had several Eve's Necklace trees in our back yard, but Mrs B had them all cut down a few weeks ago. She said that she was tired of them. Before that it was the redbud trees that got the axe. Being a tree here doesn't have good job security. I sort of liked the Eve's Necklace trees. They have beautiful blossoms and I think that the seed pods look nice as well.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

It sure looks like what we have here, a Pepper tree... Had many offered to me, I even had one in my backyard fall in a storm.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Take a look at this:
Tullibigeal Pepper Tree, search it on Google...

 

[Bruce Schoenleber]

California Pepper Tree, Schinus molle. Never turned one so I can't answer to that. They are very common in southern CA, and unlike most other things in S. CA, they don't burn. So if you do mess up turning one the fireplace is not an option.

 

[Andy Chen]

California Pepper Tree, Schinus molle. Never turned one so I can't answer to that. They are very common in southern CA, and unlike most other things in S. CA, they don't burn. So if you do mess up turning one the fireplace is not an option.

Thanks, Bruce. It looks exactly like Schinus molle. The way it grows in southern California sure looks like an invasive species. But if they are drought-resistant and don't burn maybe they ought to encourage its invasion there.

 

[Tim Leiter]

It sure looks like the California Pepper Tree to me when I searched for it. I'm from Michigan so it does not grow here. Good luck, I've heard the blanks are very colorful. Here is a picture of the leaves and a wood block. Good luck.
Tim.