April-May 2004

May 4
The Guadalupe Palm

The Guadalupe Palm — Brahea (Erythea) edulis — is now flowering and fruiting on Lake Shore in the block north of Montana in Echo Park.

Highly recommended as a substitute for the over-used Washingtonias that we see everywhere. You will note that it is "self-pruning," which means that no one has to climb up and take the old fronds off. It stays at residential scale for decades, unlike the Washingtonias.

April 28
Rhodosphaera rhodanthema

Say that 10 times real fast!

What is that, you ask?  It's called the Yellowood Tree, of Australian origin, and one can be seen flowering in Elysian Park at the southwest corner of Stadium Way and Morton.  It may be the only one you will ever see, so don't miss this chance to see it.

April 24
The Chinese Fringe Tree

What, you ask, is that tree flowering white by the tot lot in the Elysian Park Arboretum?

Why, that's Chionanthus retusus, the Chinese Fringe Tree.  It's reliably spectacular in the spring, although it is rarely seen.  Go to the Huntington and you will see some large old trees.

Michael O'Brien is a Certified Landscape Architect and a resident of Echo Park.  He has practiced in LA and Arizona for fifteen years.  He is currently a volunteer for the Community Forest Advisory Committee who advises the Department of Public Works on street tree policies.  O'Brien also teaches at UCLA Extension.

O'Brien posts his recommendations for viewing nature at its finest on the Echo Elysian NC Forum on Yahoo!  His notes are republished here with permission.

©Copyright 2003 Michael O'Brien, ASLA