The Pepper Tree
The East Texas Weekend Preview — Over 175yrs ago, a tiny sapling was planted along the ancient royal highway known as the El Camino Real.
As this tree began to sprout over the years, the landscape and civilization of East Texas would change shape into what we know it as today.
Not much is known as far as who planted it, or their reason why. According to Suzanne Steed’s 2008 article, there is some speculation that it could have been the Kennedy Family. A group of settlers of the Augusta and Neches area during the 1840’s. However, there is zero official information on the original planter.
Today, this exact plant is still in tact, flourishing as ever. It has become quite a popular roadside pitstop over the generations, as folks traveling between Alto and Crockett pull over for a gander. It’s placement is in a stunning portion of the piney woods. Quiet, hilly and surrounded by many other towering trees.
A funny note is that although the plant was named a Pepper Tree, due to the smell of its seeds, it is in fact not one. It is actually a lilac tree.
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Located between two of the coolest destinations in deep East Texas, Mission Tejas State Park and the Caddo Mounds State Historical Site, a visit to this ancient, mysterious tree is an absolute must if you are in the area.
The Pepper Tree can be found at: 23253 TX-21, Grapeland, TX 75844
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