The Bay Area Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus are one of the most common trees in the Bay Area, towering over us at almost a hundred feet, but how did they get there in the first place? Ranging from timber supply prospects to malaria prevention, people have tried using them for everything. Nature’s best friend but people’s worst enemy. Here is how the Eucalyptus became the most famous tree in the Bay Area. 

Originally brought here from Australia, miners planted them to use as a wood supply for fuel and construction during the Gold Rush. During the railroad expansion in the late 1800s, workers discovered that the wood was too tough for even railroad spikes to puncture. Despite this, by the turn of the century, California had planted thousands of acres of Eucalyptus. Because Eucalyptus does not make for good timber and takes too long to mature, it was abandoned for the next 90 years.

In 1990 a fire took out nearly 3,000 homes in Oakland during a fire. Experts attributed the intensity of the fire to the dense Eucalyptus population in the area. This effectively started the debate that is still dragging out today to decide the fate of the Bay Area Eucalyptus. 

Although it is not native to the Bay Area, many bird species and other critters have made it their home. Providing year-round parasite control, wind control, and stabilizing soil on steep hills, Eucalyptus has delivered innumerable benefits. However, driving down El Camino, you can understand why many people are not fans of it. 

Due to the shallow roots of Eucalyptus, they push up against paved roads making your commute a bit bumpy. During the recent storms, these shallow roots have had much more severe consequences. The consistent combination of flooding and high winds has made these towering trees a homewrecker. The potential fire hazard gives a strong argument for getting rid of these trees. 

Decades in the works, city planners and environmental advocates have escalated the debate over the fate of the Bay Area’s beloved Eucalyptus, and some are taking action. For instance, CalTrans has plans in place to remove the Eucalyptus from El Camino in Burlingame. Expect more debates to go forth and more trees to come down, but rest assured that Eucalyptus will retain a presence in the Bay Area for a long time to come.