Day 220

June 11, 2020

What is more quintessential Southern California than a palm tree? Fun fact, most palm trees are not native to California. They actually arrived here with the Franciscans in the 18th century. In the late 19th century their popularity grew as they were used in a massive marketing campaign to bring more real estate investment into the area. The, now ubiquitous, post cards featuring palm trees were created to entice prospective buyers to but into the “California Dream” of a semi-tropical locale. In the early twentieth century they became very popular as decorative plants in the lawns and gardens of the well to do in the area.

There is one type of palm tree that is native to California, the Washington filifera, named after President Washington. This palm does not naturally grow in Los Angeles. It is most at home in deep mountain ravines. Presently, most of the imported palms, which were planted nearly a century ago have completed their life cycles. The introduction of the red palm weevil keeps younger palms from developing. Add to this the fact that palms are so very thirsty, the Department of Water and Power has indicated dying palms will be replaced with trees that are suited to our climate and can survive with a lot less water. A hundred years from now palms will be a historic anecdote of what made Los Angeles the city is today.

Camera: iPhone X/Camera+ 2 App
Lens (iPhone): 4mm
Shutter Speed: 1/3000
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 25