The Tasmanian bluegum, Eucalyptus globulus, is an evergreen tree native to southern Australia and known for its exceptional height, with some individuals measuring over 300 feet. Like almost every organism from Australia, E. globulus has special adaptations and defenses that help it survive in a competitive and harsh landscape. First, the species has special adaptations to fire, including heat-resistant seed capsules and high germination rates after wildfires. The oils from the leaves can actually encourage fires, thereby harming competitor species that lack such adaptations. In addition, the plant produces a range of toxic metabolites that drip down to forest floor and limit the growth of herbaceous annuals below the canopy.

Although restricted to a small range in nature, people have planted the Tasmanian bluegum in many parts of the world for use as pulpwood and for its characteristic essential oil. The species was introduced to California in the 1800s with the plan of harvesting wood for railroad ties, but the young trees unfortunately did not produce high-quality lumber. The UC Berkeley campus is home to impressive stands of E. globulus, including one stand in the Grinnell Natural Area that is said to contain the tallest hardwood trees in North America. While many consider them beautiful, eucalyptus trees are contentious in California because they invade natural landscapes and may contribute to the extinction of local species. Furthermore, their fire adaptations likely exacerbated wildfires in the Bay Area, including the 1991 Oakland Hills fire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes. In recent years, local governments and UC Berkeley officials have removed many eucalyptus trees to mitigate wildfire risks; however, these efforts are controversial and have been blocked by environmentalists.

--Nathan Wales