Re: Cinnamomum camphora

Michael:

Although I have seen a few "volunteer" camphor tree seedlings in my garden, I
have never heard of or seen any that have escaped from cultivation here in
California.  I have, however seen numerous "wild" almond trees, fig trees,
etc.  Birds seem to be the principle agents of dispersal.  Which brings me to
a point I wished to make regarding exotic species.  In most of California, as
I imagine is true in other arid regions, exotic species of plants, whether
cultivated or naturalized, provide a diversity of habitat and forage that has
become important for many native species.  This is especially true in light of
the almost universal destruction of their natural habitat for agriculture,
industry, and urban sprawl.  In parts of our state, nonnative trees are the
only trees present in some areas (eucalyptus and tamarisk come to mind), and
to launch an all-out eradication program would have far-reaching effects on
the rest of the ecosystem.  In particular, I think of the many species of
winter-flowering eucalyptus that provide food and shelter for over-wintering
hummingbirds and warblers.  Any eradication or control program should take
usage by nesting and wintering birds into consideration.

Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
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