FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Francesca Corra, APLD
It seems that this year has been quite tree-centric. For me, living in Los Angeles, there is a growing concern about our rapidly shrinking tree canopy, which is quite at odds with our local politicians’ shallow rhetoric about global warming. Everyone has been up in arms about the massive fires destroying the Amazon. A similar situation is happening here as we willingly cut down masses of mature trees for new construction, without any thought of creatively building around them. Really, what is the difference but the manner and scale of destruction?
On a happier note, the technique of Hugelkultur seems to be gaining popularity; the Greater Los Angeles district will be holding a hands-on workshop on October 26.
The APLD Design Conference in Seattle this year was a wonder of aboreal delights, from the giant bird’s nest inside the Amazon Spheres at the opening reception, to the extremely eclectic stumpery garden on Vachon Island, to the impressive acceptance of fallen trees in the landscape.
Photos by Francesca Corra, APLD.
Finally, I would like to leave you on this note before you begin the journey through the rest of this issue of California Landscape Design…
Let’s take the second piece of advice! It is time to submit gardens for the APLD Design Awards. In this issue, we proudly highlight the winners this year from California, including Nina Mullen who so deservedly reigns now as Designer of The Year. I urge you to take a careful inventory of your gardens and pick one to submit… “Go Out On A Limb.”
Happy Fall!
Francesca