Oaks and sycamores take over as Los Angeles declares war on palm trees
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The palm trees that line the well-appointed streets of Beverly Hills and frame the view of the Hollywood sign have just become an endangered species.
The Los Angeles City Council decided last week that it would no longer plant emblematic fan palms on streets and other city properties, because they are expensive, prone to disease and provide almost no shade in a city suffering a glaring shortage of greenery.
Adding insult to injury, the council suggested in its resolution that palms weren't real trees at all, but "technically a type of grass" - to the irritation of the thousands of local business owners with the word "palm" in their name.
Fan palms have graced millions of postcards and form part of the irresistible imagery of southern California.
But they are not indigenous - they were first planted by property developers in the 1860s as a deliberate ploy to lure Midwesterners to the West Coast sun. LA won't be chopping any palms down, and won't stop private citizens from planting them in their gardens, but it won't be planting any new ones.
Instead, it will champion native sycamores and oaks, as part of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to plant a million new trees before he leaves office.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments