My neighbor has a huge green tree, which overhangs my yard. It's the large tree on the left in the first photo below (the Fishtail is mine). I'm hoping to identify what the tree type is, since I was hoping to place some plants below the overhanging branches in our yard.

My fear is that it might be a "pepper tree" or other plant that poisons the ground below it. If it is, then I unfortunately cannot plant anything other than REALLY hardy plants below it, based on what I've been reading.

* Only thing that makes me think it might NOT be a pepper tree is the berries. I don't recall seeing any red berries on this tree (though I might have just not noticed). When I look at it now, I only see an occasional berry, and they're yellow - and start out as green (like in second photo).

Can someone please look at the photos below and identify what the tree type is, so I can adjust accordingly?

I can't tell you what it is but it is not a Pepper Tree.

I had a huge Pepper tree over my entire front yard in California and a completely landscaped understory. None of the other plants seemed to mind they were shaded by a Pepper: Crepe Myrtles, Iris, Daylilies, a tulip tree, ferns....

Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus)

Calif_Sue said:https://garden.org/plants/view/78450/Buddhist-Pine-Podocarpus-macrophyllus/

You're right!

Awesome - thanks so much for the I.D.!!!

Sounds like it might be ok for me to put somewhat delicate tropical plants beneath it then, right?

* I know Pepper Trees kill everything beneath them, but it sounds like "Podocarpus" is a lot more neighborly to its understory plants. Hoping that's the case

Afrocarpus gracilior. Much finer leaves than macrophyllus. Still not an allelopathic substance producer.

Awesome! Thank you both for providing a positive I.D. - and I'm so happy to be able to plant below it.

Thanks again!