The fungies is blocking the tree not get enough water
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the damage.
Ultimately, too much water may have allowed the fungus to enter the tree. In order to kill the fungus (if it is a curable one) will be to take away the conditions in which it will thrive. Since these conditions are quite the opposite of what the tree prefers, it will be quite easy to restore the environmental balance, unless rain is constant in your area.
Make sure that the soil has plenty of time to dry, thoroughly, down to about 3 or 4 inches between watering, or just let nature take over. Most fungi cannot survive very well in dry soil. The tree can, however.
A fungicide will, also, be necessary. There are many, and the best one can depend on the exact disease in question. This article will offer some information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
This article will offer information on the care of the tree:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/pepper-tree/california-pepper-tree-care.htm
Hi, I have a CA Pepper that I grew from five feet - it’s my baby. It’s about 6 years old. A few months ago, a landscaper convinced me that it would be safe to trim a root that was pushing hard against my planter. He trims my trees with great love and care - I trust his expertise. He cut out a root the size of a wrist. My tree has definitely suffered from this. The leaves are normally dense and right now, not at all. The good news is that it is trying to regrow - there’s new growth on all the ends but the middle is really sparse. It’s as if the whole tree shriveled in size, though there’s nothing dead. This time of year, I feel it should be really lush. Is there anything you can recommend, like a fertilizer? I did read extensively that Peppers can handle root trimming. Mine did not like it at all. This is causing me more sadness and worry than you could imagine. Normally, I can’t see the houses through my tree, but right now, I can just like right through it. Any help you could give is much appreciated. The last photo is for reference so you can see how it usually looks.
We don't usually recommend cutting out tree roots, however suckers at the base should be removed. I hope your tree rebounds. You may continue to have problems as the Pepper tree is known for aggressive roots. They need a lot of room to roam and I don't see it there. It is surrounded by a fence as well as hardscaping. You may want to consider moving your tree or replacing it with a smaller tree. None of the resources I checked mention fertilizing the tree. I would make sure it has sufficient water, though, to ease the healing.
Here is more:
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/schinus-molle
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/pepper-tree/california-pepper-tree-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/shaving-down-tree-roots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/exposed-tree-roots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/problem-tree-roots.htm
i was curious about the roots for the California Pepper tree. is this a tree that can be planted close to a cinderblock wall that borders a backyard without damaging or cracking the wall?
This University of CA article doesn't sound encouraging. It says they grow up to 40 feet tall and have aggressive roots and drop litter. Some consider them an invasive weed.
Here's the article: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/peppertree.html
s been dismal the past couple of years and I suspect that the Pepper tree roots are sucking the nutrients and water out of the bed s. I am in the process of removing the Pepper trees (and grinding the stumps) to support another landscape project. I understand that Pepper trees can be somewhat Allelopathic and I am wondering if I will need to remove all the soil in those beds and replace it with new soil and organic material before replanting or if I can simply revitalize the old soil. I am concerned that if the Pepper tree roots that were in the beds left residual toxins in the soil that may still impact growth of new plantings.
It will, but not from the roots! This will come from any leaves that have fallen within the last few rainfalls. After several rains, the toxins will be at a dilution rate suitable for gardening. Still, it would hurt to amend the soil for optimal growth.