Cedar Trees
1916
Los Feliz Boulevard between Riverside Drive and Western Avenue – map
Declared: 5/20/70
During War World, the Loz Feliz Improvement Association and the Los Feliz Women’s Club banded together to plant a crop of trees along Los Feliz Boulevard as a beautification project. This, according to the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission.
The groups chose two types of cedar trees: Atlas Cedars (Cedrus atlantica) and Deodar, or Himalayan, Cedars (Cedrus deodara). Of course, I can’t tell which trees here date back to 1916. Also, of course, many of the trees on the boulevard and some in these photos are neither Atlases nor Deodars.
If Deodar Cedars are your thing, make sure you visit Historic-Cultural Landmark No. 41.
Okay. So the L.A. Public Library says the shot below was taken on Los Feliz Boulevard at Commonwealth Avenue on August 21, 1925. You can't too well compare it with the picture above, also taken at Commonwealth, because they're from two different vantage points, almost 180 degrees. However, you can notice the paucity of trees in the vintage photo.
The shot here, below, is also from the Los Angeles Public Library photo collection. This one is of the boulevard, east of Vermont, around 1920. If the beautification program was from four years earlier, I'm starting to wonder if the groups didn't just pocket most of the cash meant for tree purchasing.
Because you read this far, next time you’re stuck in Los Feliz Boulevard gridlock on the way to the Greek Theatre, you’ll be able to bore your fellow concert-goers with your knowledge of these evergreen landmarks.
I don't think this is either an atlantica or a deodara.
When it comes to traffic, this stretch is one of my least favorites in all of L.A. I avoid it like a root canal. However, seeing only a smattering of cars here on an early Sunday morning gave me a new-found appreciation of this (large) section of Los Feliz Boulevard. (I'll still avoid it most of the time, though.)
Up next: Charles Lummis Residence (El Alisal)
3 comments:
I've always wondered why people don't plant more trees in their neighborhoods. Imagine what that stretch of Los Feliz Blvd. would have looked like without them.
I agree Chris. These Cedar trees are great for areas of Los Angeles. I wish we could see more of them in our parks, on our freeways slopes and in our neighborhoods. They are really a great tree for the environment. Can you imagine seeing them planted all along the freeways?
Those are beautiful trees and huge trees at that. Would like to know how old they are.
I got tow planted in my yard last year, they are small but they will grow in time just like in your pictures. Take a look;;
Deodar Cedar
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