Keeping the Palisades Beautiful

By TRILBY BERESFORD | Reporter

Many longtime Palisadians are already aware of Palisades Beautiful and its activities in the community, but for those not so familiar, here’s a refresher and outline of its ongoing street tree project.

The organization was launched in 1974 by locals concerned about inappropriate combinations of tree species lining Pacific Palisades neighborhoods, some of them struggling to stay alive.

Its main mission (which has since been expanded to encompass a variety of environmental needs) was to arrange for appropriate trees of the same species to be planted in neighborhood parkways between sidewalks and curbs; the reason being that streets look best when both sides feature the same trees.

Members worked closely with the city to survey tree properties, obtain permits, execute necessary changes and even provide homeowners with instructions for post-planting tree care.

A list of tree species designated for planting on particular streets and sections was eventually produced and approved by the Urban Forestry Division of the Bureau of Street Services of the City of Los Angeles.

According to the website, “The intent of a well thought out species selection is to: provide optimum shade, reduce energy use, provide an optimum growing area, minimize infrastructure conflict and generally increase the ecosystem benefits.”

For the last 44 years, Palisades Beautiful has observed these tree designations. Longstanding board member Barbara Marinacci, whose background includes environmental conservation, writing and education, remains loyal to this mission.

Her keen awareness of tree care is essential to Palisades Beautiful. “There’s this prevalent and very notorious problem of certain tree species as they age: producing very large upper roots that ‘heave’—raise and crack—sidewalks,” Marinacci told the Palisadian-Post. “Serious injuries can cause very costly lawsuits to both the city and homeowners.” (Which is why trees should be given water very deeply instead of receiving it close to ground surface, as happens with lawn sprinklers.)

Yet there has been a shift in modern tree care, characterized by less oversight from Urban Forestry. Due to budgetary constraints they have cut down on tree planting and removal and now only deal with “emergency” situations.

There is also a lack of resources and manpower within smaller organizations like Palisades Beautiful. Additional membership organizations do exist, such as Pacific Palisades Garden Club and Palisades P.R.I.D.E., though they each have their own specific focus in beautifying the outdoors.

Of course, other areas in Los Angeles are experiencing a similar slump. In her 2013 article for EDEN, former preservation planner Ann Scheid offered a glimpse into the state of affairs in Pasadena: “Street tree planting is no longer proceeding at the pace of 5,000 plantings a year; as in the 1920s. Now the number is closer to 1,000 a year, despite serious tree losses and neglect over the years.”

Tree planting, neglect and loss are urgent concerns of Palisades Beautiful. With regard to planting, the current statement on street trees, written by Committee Chair Michael G. Terry, includes a list of eight tree species approved by Urban Forestry.

It does not mention designated tree species, which may indicate oncoming change within the organization or necessitate community support for designations to be reinstated.

Either way, Palisades Beautiful is seeking volunteers to lend a hand. There are numerous environmental issues that need to be identified and tackled, and street trees is only one of them. Those interested in getting involved can do so via palisadesbeautiful.org.

Aside from the obvious benefits of helping the neighborhood preserve and protect its natural glory, there is a great opportunity for children and adults to learn about the different trees that have existed and will exist in Pacific Palisades.

Past trees species have included jacaranda, sycamore, evergreen pear, gold medallion and purple-leaf plum, to name a few.

To quote Palisades Beautiful itself, “Trees—just like people—have limited lifespans. They can’t live forever and eventually must be removed and replaced.”

Marinacci indicated that there are trees on Toyopa Drive that have “sizable and very ugly dead limbs.” Numerous other streets are suffering the same way.

Board meetings are usually held on the third Friday of each month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room of Palisades Branch Library.

Visit palisadesbeautiful.org, email info@palisadesbeautiful.org or call 310-459-0190.