Sunrise 6:08 am: More musings on non-native plants

The idea of eucalyptus being just a big non-native weed was still on the female Dawn Jogger's mind when the DJs passed a giant dead eucalyptus stump in the area of the Big Dish near Piers Lane, which had, until recently, been leased by Stanford for many, may years to a local rancher. This morning the old stump, about 30 feet in diameter, was teaming with birds and lizards. Its nooks and crannies had clearly become satisfactory housing. Just beyond the eucalyptus stump stands what appears to be a Mexican fan palm. The planting of palm trees - another non-native plant - in San Francisco has become a matter of some contention as reported in today's Chronicle. The palm plantings began after the Loma Prieta earthquake and have cost the city $1.9 million. Interestingly, historians believe the first palms appeared in the City following the Great Quake of 1906.