Palm Trees Added to LAPD Headquarters
Ed Fuentes
In front of LAPD headquarters, two sets of a trio of palm trees have been added.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Development is again marked by a show of palms.
The still-under-construction LAPD Headquarters building has been landscaped with twenty palm trees, six framing the 1st street facade, and the rest standing in formation at 2nd and Spring.
According to a source on site, the seven-year-old trees were shipped in from Coachella Valley and each had a cost around seven thousand dollars, a typical sum for trees with this maturity and condition.
While certainly palms are heavily associated with Los Angeles, in recent years the city has made overtures toward lessening their prevalence. Rising costs and a lack of shade have caused the palm to lose out to other species.
bromike666 on February 10, 2009, at 02:11PM – #1
I love, love love the Caltrans and LAPD buildings. Even though they are costly, impractical and provide no shade you just gotta go w/ the palm trees.
The Dude on February 11, 2009, at 02:34AM – #2
Agreed. The Palm is by far my favorite type of tree to look at, so slender and graceful. I don't care if they aren't native to Los Angeles, neither are most of the people living here!
Tornadoes28 on February 11, 2009, at 09:32AM – #3
I know that palm trees are a symbol of Southern California but I think they really are not the best trees to plant. They don't provide much shade and when you stand next to them, it's like you are standing next to a telephone pole. Palm trees are overrated.
David Kennedy on February 11, 2009, at 12:07PM – #4
Hear, hear. More palm trees, please.
Ed Fuentes on February 11, 2009, at 01:22PM – #5
While I am found of the palm tree, it represents Southern California as a whole. I still like how Downtown doesn't have many of them and that makes a unique identity.
celia on February 11, 2009, at 02:22PM – #6
One of the many reasons film crews like downtown Los Angeles is the lack of palm trees. Perhaps we should plant more of them downtown. If we do, I suggest we use "rat rings", those metal rings secured around the trunk to discourage rodents running up and living in the trees.
Greensmark on February 11, 2009, at 02:48PM – #7
STUNNING!! I can't wait to head over there and take a few photos for my collection: Around Downtown!! It is coming soon to my blog; Greensmarkblog.com But from the point of few of the palms themselves. They are as distinct a statement of Los Angeles elegances the way Italian Cypress are to many parts of the Mediterranean. If used properly they can be a great combination with other plant material. I, for one, would like to see LESS Ficus Benjamina (nasty trees that drop the tiny figs) and more use of Cupaniopsis Anacardioides (Carrotwood). By using a combination of palms and trees such as the Carrotwood, it would make a wonderful statement. Have a look at the way West Hollywood use a combination of Palms and Jacaranda mimosifolia. Although, as we know, while Jacarandas are lovely when in bloom, they make an awful mess.
Grnsmrk