Eucalyptus

About 600; for a full list, see

Ecologically disruptive as an imported exotic

Eucalypts were first introduced to the rest of the world by Sir Joseph Banks, botanist on the Cook expedition in 1770. They have subsequently been introduced to many parts of the world, notably California, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Israel and Galicia. The uses they are put to include ornament, timber, firewood and (especially) pulpwood. Several species have become invasive and are causing major problems for local ecologies. In Spain, they have been planted in pulpwood plantations, replacing native oak woodland. As in other such areas, while the original woodland supports numerous species of native animal life (insects, birds, salamanders, etc.), the eucalyptus groves are inhospitable to the local wildlife which is not adapted to them, leading to silent forests and the decline of wildlife populations. Their importation into California has been beneficial in only very limited circumstances, primarily in their use as windbreaks enclosing large tracts of arid western San Joaquin valley farmland. While some of the Australian gumwoods make a beautiful furniture wood, resembling Teak, an inappropriate type for this purpose was imported into California. This type is neither attractive as a veneer (its color varies from yellowish-gray to grayish-green), useful as lumber (it tends to warp and split after cutting), or even though well of as firewood (oak, nutwoods and fruitwoods are the preferred commercial firewoods in Northern California). Their presence in the Oakland-Berkeley hills has lead to periodic wildfires that have spread into dense urban areas, and since these rapidly regenerate from root sprouts the problem will continue until they are completely removed. Severe cold for a period of several weeks has killed off large stands, which had to be immediately removed to eliminate the consequent severe fire hazard. The trees can also drop limbs well after a storm has passed, and the woods can be hazardous to trail and road users at these times. The shedding of bark creates an open and flammable forest litter that also snags on limbs and so provides a direct fire path from forest floor to tree crown.

Related Topics:
Sir Joseph Banks - Botanist - Cook - 1770 - California - Brazil - Morocco - Portugal - South Africa - Israel - Galicia - Pulpwood - Invasive - Spain - Plantation - Oak - Teak

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