The Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) is a woody evergreen species native to South America that has become an aggressive invasive plant in warmer regions of the United States, particularly Florida and Texas. Its success stems from its rapid growth rate, ability to form dense thickets, and production of allelopathic chemicals that suppress native vegetation. Prolific bright red berries are consumed and dispersed widely by birds, accelerating its spread and displacing native species. Eliminating this pervasive tree requires a strategic, multi-step approach combining physical removal with targeted chemical treatments to prevent aggressive resprouting.
Physical Removal Strategies
Physical removal is most effective for newly germinated seedlings and small plants, which can be manually pulled or dug out. It is essential to remove the entire root system, as small fragments left in the soil can generate new shoots. This method is highly labor-intensive and impractical for mature trees, which have massive root structures.
Simply cutting down a mature Brazilian Pepper Tree without follow-up treatment will fail, triggering vigorous resprouting from the stump and roots. The remaining stump uses the root system’s energy reserves to produce multiple new shoots, often resulting in a denser thicket. Therefore, cutting is best utilized as a preparatory step for chemical application, not as a standalone eradication method. Heavy machinery can remove large stands, but the resulting soil disturbance often creates ideal conditions for seeds already present in the soil to germinate, necessitating extensive follow-up control.
Chemical Treatment Methods
To ensure the death of an established Brazilian Pepper Tree, a systemic herbicide application is necessary to translocate the active ingredient into the root system. The most reliable active ingredients are the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate and the selective broadleaf herbicide triclopyr. These systemic chemicals move throughout the plant’s vascular system to destroy the underground root crown and lateral roots.
The Cut-Stump Method is the most common and effective chemical treatment for larger trees, minimizing herbicide release into the environment. The trunk must be cut horizontally close to the ground. Concentrated herbicide must be applied directly to the thin, living cambium layer just inside the bark within five minutes of the cut. This immediate application is necessary because the tree quickly seals the cut surface, preventing chemical uptake. A concentrated solution of triclopyr or glyphosate is typically brushed onto the outer ring of the stump.
For medium-sized trees or multi-stemmed shrubs (up to 4 to 6 inches in diameter), the Basal Bark Method avoids cutting the tree. This technique involves spraying an oil-soluble triclopyr ester mixed with a penetrating oil directly onto the lower 12 to 18 inches of the bark, encircling the entire trunk. The oil carrier allows the herbicide to penetrate the bark and move internally to the roots; treatment is most effective when applied in the fall. Foliar Spraying is reserved for small seedlings or low-growing resprouts, as it requires extensive coverage and carries a higher risk of chemical drift onto desirable plants.
Post-Removal Management and Safety
Handling the Brazilian Pepper Tree requires appropriate safety measures, as it belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (which includes poison ivy and poison oak). Contact with the tree’s sap, particularly from a freshly cut stump, can cause contact dermatitis, skin irritation, or an allergic rash. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is necessary and should include long-sleeved clothing, long pants, waterproof gloves, and eye protection to guard against both the irritating sap and the concentrated herbicides.
Proper disposal of the removed plant material is important for long-term eradication. If the tree is fruiting, the berries must be collected, bagged, and disposed of as municipal trash to prevent seed spread. Other plant debris should be monitored, as live fragments, especially roots, can re-establish themselves if left in contact with the soil. Since this species is classified as a noxious weed in some regions, check with local authorities for any specific legal requirements or permits needed for large-scale removal or herbicide application.
The final phase of control involves long-term monitoring and follow-up treatments to catch missed resprouts or new seedlings. The treated area must be inspected regularly for at least six months, and any new growth should be immediately addressed with manual removal or a targeted foliar application of herbicide. Establishing competitive native plants in the cleared area can also help suppress the re-establishment of the Brazilian Pepper Tree.