Why didn't Democrats eliminate eucalyptus trees from California?

[Diogenes]

ANOTHER DEMOCRAT FAILURE
​

Eucalyptus trees were first introduced to California in the 1850s. They were brought over from Australia by individuals like William C. Walker, who planted them for ornamental purposes and for timber.

However, their widespread planting as a potential source of timber and for other uses like railroad ties didn't take off until the late 19th century, particularly around the 1870s.

William C. Walker was a notable figure in the history of eucalyptus trees in California. He owned the Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco, which is credited as one of the early points of introduction for eucalyptus seeds from Australia.

• He played a role in popularizing eucalyptus trees in California during the 19th century.
• The trees were introduced to California around the 1850s, with Walker's nursery being one of the key locations where these trees were first cultivated for sale.

His efforts contributed to the eucalyptus becoming a part of the California landscape, initially seen as a potential solution to the state's timber needs during a time when native hardwood supplies were becoming depleted. However, the expectations that eucalyptus wood would be suitable for commercial timber use largely fell short due to the wood's tendency to split and crack when dried.


The Democrats have controlled the California state legislature for a significant portion of its history.

• Assembly Control: Democrats have held the Assembly since 1958, except for a brief period from 1995 to 1996 when Republicans held a majority. This gives them control for most years since 1958.
• Senate Control: Democrats have controlled the Senate since 1958, with exceptions from 1969 to 1971 and when the Senate was split evenly in 1968 and 1972.

Given these details:

• From 1958 to 2025 (as of January 9, 2025), that's 67 years total.
  • Subtracting the brief periods of Republican control or split control:
    • Assembly: 2 years (1995-1996)
    • Senate: 4 years (1969-1971 and split in 1968, 1972)

Therefore, the cumulative control by Democrats over both chambers would be:

• Assembly: 67 years - 2 years = 65 years of control.
• Senate: 67 years - 4 years = 63 years of control.

Total Cumulative Control:

• Since both chambers must be controlled for a party to have full legislative control, the minimum period where Democrats controlled both simultaneously would be the lesser of the two, which is 63 years from 1958 to 2025.

Eucalyptus trees have been recognized as a potential fire hazard for well over a century.



@Grok

 

[Diogenes]

Hayden Salfen (102), Raela Richie (107), & Malena Twomey (105) GEOG C188 Fall 2024

18 December 2024


Our client is California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Eucalyptus trees are non-native to California and were introduced in 1853.

The trees secrete a flammable fragrant oil that not only covers the trees but collects at their bases, allowing fires to spread rapidly.

Eucalyptus trees, as most Californians know, are extremely messy, dropping enormous amounts of debris which can contribute significantly to wildfire risk in dry conditions.

When Eucalyptus trees catch fire, they go through a process called "crowning out", which is where an one-hundred foot tree can be engulfed with flames in a matter of two to ten seconds ( Capachi, 2011 ).

In fact, in the 1991 Oakland fire, Eucalyptus trees were responsible for "over 70 per cent of the energy produced by the combustion of the vegetation” (NFPA, 1991).

We found that regions with taller eucalyptus trees are often located on steeper slopes, which further exacerbates wildfire risk due to increased fuel loads and challenging fire containment conditions.

Beyond the Bark:

Eucalyptus Trees as a Driver of Fire Risk in East Bay Communities

storymaps.arcgis.com

 

[Diogenes]

HE WAS RIGHT THERE​

Settlers introduced a multitude of foreign plants, animals, and diseases during colonization which has completely altered the landscape of our home and threatens our more than human relatives.

These species, like brome grasses and eucalyptus trees, manipulate the surrounding ecosystem.

They can choke out our native plants and disrupt the relationship of reciprocity that braids our native ecosystems.

For example, eucalyptus trees (native to Australia) secrete a toxic oil from their leaves to prevent the growth of native plant species beneath them. They grow fast and are brittle, acting as the perfect tinder for wildfires.

https://www.cityplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Chapter-7_-2023-Tree-Ambassador-Toolkit.pdf

 

[Diogenes]

Aren't Democrats supposed to be champions of ecology?

Fire ecology is a branch of ecology that studies how fire affects the natural environment, including ecosystems, plant and animal species, and how these entities in turn influence fire behavior. Here's an overview of key aspects of fire ecology:

Fire Regimes

• Frequency: How often fires occur in an area.
• Intensity: How hot the fire burns, which affects the depth and severity of burn.
• Size: The spatial extent of the fire.
• Seasonality: The time of year when fires are most likely to occur, influenced by weather patterns.

Ecosystem Adaptation

• Fire-Adapted Species: Many plants have evolved mechanisms to survive or even benefit from fires. Examples include:
  • Serotinous cones in certain pine species that require heat to release seeds.
  • Epicormic buds in eucalyptus trees, which allow them to sprout new growth after the above-ground parts are burned.
  • Thick bark in some trees like the sequoia, providing insulation against fire.
• Fire-Dependent Ecosystems: Some ecosystems need fire for regeneration or to maintain biodiversity, like the chaparral in California or the savannahs in Africa.

Impact on Biodiversity

• Species Composition: Fire can alter the competitive dynamics among species, sometimes favoring those adapted to fire over others.
• Habitat Structure: Post-fire landscapes often see changes in vegetation structure, which can either promote or hinder certain species.

Fire Suppression and Management

• Historical Context: In many places, human suppression of natural fires has led to altered fire regimes, potentially increasing the risk of larger, more destructive fires when they do occur due to fuel buildup.
• Controlled Burns: These are managed fires used to mimic natural fire patterns, reducing fuel load and promoting ecosystem health.

Climate Change

• Climate change is altering fire ecology by:
  • Extending fire seasons.
  • Increasing the prevalence of conditions conducive to fire (drought, high temperatures).
  • Changing vegetation patterns, which can affect fire behavior.

Research and Application

• Studies in fire ecology help inform:
  • Land management practices.
  • Restoration efforts after fires.
  • Predictive modeling for fire behavior and risk assessment.

Fire ecology is crucial for understanding how natural areas can be managed to coexist with fire, ensuring both human safety and ecological health.


@Grok

 

[Diogenes]

 

[Hume]

ANOTHER DEMOCRAT FAILURE
​

Eucalyptus trees were first introduced to California in the 1850s. They were brought over from Australia by individuals like William C. Walker, who planted them for ornamental purposes and for timber.

However, their widespread planting as a potential source of timber and for other uses like railroad ties didn't take off until the late 19th century, particularly around the 1870s.

William C. Walker was a notable figure in the history of eucalyptus trees in California. He owned the Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco, which is credited as one of the early points of introduction for eucalyptus seeds from Australia.

• He played a role in popularizing eucalyptus trees in California during the 19th century.
• The trees were introduced to California around the 1850s, with Walker's nursery being one of the key locations where these trees were first cultivated for sale.

His efforts contributed to the eucalyptus becoming a part of the California landscape, initially seen as a potential solution to the state's timber needs during a time when native hardwood supplies were becoming depleted. However, the expectations that eucalyptus wood would be suitable for commercial timber use largely fell short due to the wood's tendency to split and crack when dried.


The Democrats have controlled the California state legislature for a significant portion of its history.

• Assembly Control: Democrats have held the Assembly since 1958, except for a brief period from 1995 to 1996 when Republicans held a majority. This gives them control for most years since 1958.
• Senate Control: Democrats have controlled the Senate since 1958, with exceptions from 1969 to 1971 and when the Senate was split evenly in 1968 and 1972.

Given these details:

• From 1958 to 2025 (as of January 9, 2025), that's 67 years total.
  • Subtracting the brief periods of Republican control or split control:
    • Assembly: 2 years (1995-1996)
    • Senate: 4 years (1969-1971 and split in 1968, 1972)

Therefore, the cumulative control by Democrats over both chambers would be:

• Assembly: 67 years - 2 years = 65 years of control.
• Senate: 67 years - 4 years = 63 years of control.

Total Cumulative Control:

• Since both chambers must be controlled for a party to have full legislative control, the minimum period where Democrats controlled both simultaneously would be the lesser of the two, which is 63 years from 1958 to 2025.

Eucalyptus trees have been recognized as a potential fire hazard for well over a century.



@Grok

That's your prerogative.