Eucalyptus Forest

Greatly impacting the landscape was the planting of the exotic Tasmanian blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus. The tree has thrived in the mild coastal climate with its supplemental summer fog drip. Lacking the natural controls of its homeland, it is proliferating through seedling regeneration and causing the slow decline of the native communities.

A walk through the eucalyptus shows how tall and stately these trees can be, but also reveals how their presence affects the local plant community. Their tall canopies out-compete all other plants for sunlight, and their volume of dropped leaves, bark, and acorns significantly alter the soil. Stands of eucalyptus are found on every trail except the Weiler Ranch Trail.

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