The Ongoing Debate Over California's Eucalyptus Trees

The eucalyptus is an exotic species in California, and studies suggest it has contributed to an increase in wildfire hazards. But defenders of the trees say the eucalyptus is just an ecological scapegoat.

1 minute read

December 28, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By Camille Fink


Eucalyptus Tree

Pussreboots / Flickr

In a cartoon, journalist and illustrator Susie Cagle looks at the history of and controversy around California’s eucalyptus trees. The trees first came from Australia in the mid-1800s, and they have become an integral part of the state's ecological identity.

"But in the hills above Berkeley and Oakland, residents and agencies have been fighting over the trees and the future of the landscape at large for more than ten years, citing concerns over the repeat of the 1991 firestorm — and opposing ecological theories," says Cagle.

The eucalyptus is an invasive species that critics say has taken over ecosystems and poses a fire hazard. However, supporters say the trees keep hillsides from drying out and, as a result, leaving the trees intact makes more sense than replacing them with native vegetation.

"Decolonizing any landscape from any non-native plant is controversial work — let alone iconic, historic trees over 100 years old," notes Cagle. And the fight over the eucalyptus reflects larger issues about climate change and how communities should prepare for the coming environmental challenges.

Monday, December 16, 2019 in The Guardian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Looking out at trees on 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California.

LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism

After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.

April 23 - Torched

White and blue Sacramento regional transit bus with one bike on front bike rack.

Sacramento Leads Nation With Bus-Mounted Bike Lane Enforcement Cameras

The city is the first to use its bus-mounted traffic enforcement system to cite drivers who park or drive in bike lanes.

April 23 - Streetsblog California

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum

Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.

April 23 - Next City