Los Angeles Before the Fires

28" x 28" x 28"

Dyed rattan, crystals, wire

The iconic symbol of Los Angeles is the palm tree. Although palms were not native to the area, they were first planted in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries. Palms in Los Angeles have promoted the city as an exotic desert oasis since the 1930s, with thousands more planted at that time. In the 1990s, over 75,000 palms thrived in the City of Angels, and many are nearing the end of their lives. Many were lost in the 2025 fires. Unfortunately, the city has decided not to replace them.

CLICK HERE for a discussion about Los Angeles palm trees.