northwest corner of lsa eucalyptus grove, grinnell natural area uc berkeley

northwest corner of LSA

Eucalyptus Grove, Grinnell Natural AreaUC Berkeley

The Metcalf Eucalyptus Grove ·       Grove was planted in 1877 with Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) ·       Stands at the junction of the north and south fork of Strawberry Creeks. ·       Eucalyptus trees are the tallest hardwood trees in the world. This grove is the tallest in California ·       Eucalyptus planting craze swept through California in the 1870s:

-timber crisis due to the clearing of oaks in coastal regions 

-French research discovered eucalyptus’ ability to “purify the air and eliminate malaria” 

-Blue gum eucalyptus was known to be fire-proof, have medicinal value, and produce timber.

-It became a patriotic duty for Californians to plant eucalyptus.

 -Beside the use of eucalyptus in cough-drops, these attributes proved to be fiction.

 ·       They are now a fixed part of California’s landscape ranging from San Diego County to Douglas County in Southern Oregon. ·       Eucalyptus is now used for wind-breaks, firewood, aesthetics, and pulp production.

Koala bear (Phascolarctos cinereus)

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Grinnell Natural Area -- Eucalyptus Stand Development

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Wet tropical forest temperate deciduous forest

Oak woodland/savannaD. dry grassland

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subalpine spruce-fir forestHawaiian ohi`a lehua forest

Ecosystem study in an oak woodland

Ecosystems are dynamic

Forests in California

• 18.2 million ha of forests• 6.5 million ha of commercial forests • $575 million stumpage value

– 50% federal– 50% private

• 62% nonindustrial• 38% industrial

• Supply: aesthetics, biodiversity, water, wood products

Old-growth stand in the Plumas National ForestSpecial Use Permit (Baker Research Plot)