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California/Native trees

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Expert: - 1/27/2012


Question
I've been told that there are only three indigenous trees in the Santa Barbara area -- oak, sycamore, alder -- and all the others are imports. True?

Answer
This is subject to debate, as well as how you define "tree", "native", and "Santa Barbara area".
Is the Manzanita, for example, a tree or a shrub?
Some tree seeds, whether intentionally or inadvertently, we're carried by indigenous people from other areas. How far back do you go to determine nativity?
Do the mountains count? There are conifers there.

I would have to say False, even by the most narrow definitions of the above, based on my local knowledge and research. And the fact that the statement is too broad.

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Steve Summers

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I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I`ve lived in the Valley, west side, east side, and South Bay, so I`m an expert on getting around town. I`m knowledgeable about all of the Southern California tourist attractions. I am also an expert on state beaches in Southern California, and have an expansive camping background. No relocation/moving questions, please.

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I have lived in Southern California my entire life. I'm a "local", with expert knowledge of Southern California. I've done a lot of extensive traveling to NorCal, so I can provide answers about northern California as a visitor, and southern California as a local.

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