Save Those Eucalyptus Trees

My mom believed in all kinds of bizarre things. She felt that putting eucalyptus tree leaves under my mattress would somehow keep fleas from jumping off my dog and into my bed.

Naturally, she felt that the aroma of eucalyptus played a positive role in decongesting my sinus passages in a childhood spent sniffling and snorting and wondering if other kids' noses were always congested.

So, damned if I don't read that CalTrans is thinking about cutting down the eucalyptus trees on the south end of Highway 101 outside Eureka.

Now, I think it's ridiculous to consider them a danger because it's just not that busy on that portion of 101. If a tree falls on the highway and there are no cars for it to hit, is it a danger? Someone pointed out the cost to the state or country to trim and attend to the trees. I can't rightly recall ever seeing anyone near those trees trimming or pruning or cleaning up brush. But, hell, I only lived up there for 40 years, right?

When I see those trees, I'm reminded of visiting my Aunt Emily's house or going to see Uncle Dan and Aunt Betty. I smell that eucalyptus and think about going to watch the Humboldt Crabs play on Saturday nights in the summer. Dammit! They are not, and never should be, referred to simply as "non-native, invasive" species that never belonged along the highway in the first place.

Is nothing sacred now? Have people who think Eureka was founded in 1989 really taken over up there? Can't the dudes who fought to get that "You Are Entering a Nuclear Free Zone" sign posted outside Arcata band together and say, "Man...lighten up...them trees ain't hurtin' nobody...and they're part of the lifestyle..." or something?

I know people will gripe that I moved away and, thus, have no voice in the future of those eucalyptus trees. I'm a native, non-invasive member of a larger Humboldt County community that includes people who moved, for many reasons, but still love the area. They were my trees way before every tree in Humboldt County became the center of a battle between environmentalists and loggers.

My mom told me 40 years ago that they planted those trees as a wind break. I thought it was landscaping for the lumber mill behind the trees back then.

People who gripe about invasive species of trees or who want to send people to Willow Creek if they want to look at trees as they drive are missing the point...willingly and intentionally. And, yep, I'm quite aware that eucalyptus is a fine wood to burn...it burns hot and long. So, while I'm upset that my eucalyptus are being considered for extinction...I don't mind the idea of cutting that particular species to burn and warm my house.

Humboldt County's lost it's economic base, not it's losing its soul. The economic base can, I hope, be restored. But, if you keep removing the things that make Eureka clearly Eureka...or the things that make Fortuna recognizable as Fortuna...what's left? A generic stretch of Highway 101...that sends tourists flocking to Ferndale for the lone remaining taste of what Humboldt County actually once stood for.

No...I can't believe it either...I'm mad about the cavalier attitude toward cutting down my eucalyptus trees.