Out: Palm Trees. In: Oak Trees.

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  09.14.06 | 1:36 PM ET

imagePhoto by Jim Benning.

Few features define the Los Angeles landscape more than towering palms. They’re the stuff of postcard images. They earn appreciative nods in just about every L.A. travel story—a quick Google search turned up this gem: “From sun, sand and palm trees, to hiking and biking in the mountains, the Los Angeles area has something for everyone.” But according to city officials, they couldn’t be less environmentally correct or more expensive. As a result, few of the dying trees planted before the 1932 Olympics are being replaced by young palms. A USA Today story about this—and how oaks just might become L.A.‘s new palms—offers a fascinating glimpse into the way economics and changing environmental attitudes can re-shape a landscape.



1 Comment for Out: Palm Trees. In: Oak Trees.

Boise Schell 12.14.06 | 1:33 PM ET

The City of Los Angeles is finding any excuse to save money in its budget. The council came up with reasons such as “palm trees are technically grass.” Being an environmentalist myself, I understand the California’s need to reduce pollution, but perhaps a mixture of oaks and palms. Without the palms, LA would be losing a key icon. Maybe the City of LA should be more concerned with creating a more efficient mass transit system for a burgeoning population compared to the three stop wonder they call a subway.

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