Written By: Britt L. Brown LMT
Were you aware that invasive eucalyptus trees are proving to be a huge fire hazard in California? The menthol in their leaves and bark that gets shed on the forest floor is highly flammable, increasing the overall heat and intensity of state wildfires, and further worsening the state-wide draught. Thankfully the mycologists working with Bay Area Applied Mycology (BAAM) have taken notice of the real wild fire danger eucalyptus trees present, and in January of 2020 they began a mycoremediation research project with the East Bay Municipal Utility District.
The goal of this project is to discern whether or not inoculating the stumps of the invasive eucalyptus trees (aka Blue Gum trees) with spores of the native Omphalotus olivascens fungus (aka Jack-O-Lantern fungus) as a non-toxic way to prevent them from resprouting, which is something they can continue to do for up to ten years. So how exactly does this work, how exactly is O. olivascens preventing the eucalyptus trees from resprouting? Well, it’s simple really – the fungi are eating the tree stumps!
O. olivascens is a saprotrophic organism, meaning it feeds on dead and decaying organisms, and it is particularly fond of hardwoods – like the invasive eucalyptus trees growing in California. The mycologists working at BAAM believe that by inoculating the invasive eucalyptus trees with the spores of the native O. olivascens fungus, they can prevent the eucalyptus trees from resprouting, and thus reduce the intensity and frequency of wildfires in California. Reducing the amount of invasive tree species in California could clear the way for more native trees to thrive, potentially further reducing the risk for drought throughout California, as well as the intensity and frequency of the annual wildfires.
Can you imagine what California forests would look like with all of their native trees regrown, and all of the old eucalyptus stumps glowing with bioluminescent fungi throughout the night? Visiting a California forest would be like walking into the “Ferngully” movie! Folks living on the West Coast are absolutely going to have to keep their eyes on the progress BAAM is making on their inoculation project, because if this project is successful, it could be a massive game changer for the mycoremediation of invasive species. To learn more about BAAM’s Eucalyptus Tree Management Project and their other projects, follow the link below to their website, and if you can – please donate to their cause!
Cited Sources:
- Bay Area Applied Mycology, “Eucalyptus Tree Management”. Blog. Posted 01/02/2020. WEB. https://bayareaappliedmycology.org/project/eucalyptus-management/
- Stienberger-Foster, Jillian. Edible East Bay, “Fungi Tackle the Eucalyptus”. Blog. Posted 11/09/2021. WEB. https://edibleeastbay.com/2021/11/09/fungi-tackle-the-eucalyptus/?fbclid=IwAR2h1NTc_5VGFSswGGbU5mkWZuvQ4_T0DxLL7e70f17Hrgqw9Eu51oABxAs
- Kuo, Michael. MushroomExpert.Com, “Omphalotus olivascens”. Blog. Posted 09/08/2023. WEB. https://www.mushroomexpert.com/omphalotus_olivascens.html?fbclid=IwAR0q0f3Y9cFLBnm3dP-A7Sb3nkg8eGhgglCCOSkadRUwzrkRgOx-d6YD7DE
- Fire Safe Marin. “Eucalyptus Trees and Wildfire”. Blog. Posted 02/15/2023. WEB. https://firesafemarin.org/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eucalyptus-trees/#gsc.tab=0
- National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. “A Complex Challenge – Fire Management, Resource Protection, and the Legacy of the Tasmanian Blue Gum”. Article. PDF. WEB. https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/management/upload/firemanagement_fireeducation_newsletter_eucalyptus.pdf
About the author…
Hey there! My name is Britt, I’ve been working in the lovely state of Oregon as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008, and I want to share my knowledge and experience with you! Follow my blog to find awesome self-care tips and learn how you can bring spa-level luxe into your daily routine. Do you have questions about massage therapy, self-care, or about how to book Well-Go tiny spa services for your next event? Be sure to write me an email or leave a comment!
About the author
Hey there! My name is Britt, I’ve been working in the lovely state of Oregon as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008, and I want to share my knowledge and experience with you! Follow my blog to find awesome self-care tips and learn how you can bring spa-level luxe into your daily routine. Do you have questions about massage therapy, self-care, or about how to book Well-Go tiny spa services for your next event? Be sure to write me an email or leave a comment!
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