Palm trees get a bum wrap these days. People say they don't provide
shade, they aren't native to Los Angeles, they use too much water etc.
But I think palm trees can sometimes play a role in defining public
space and the "outdoor room" on the street and they make good accent
trees. And certain types of palms, when clustered together can provide a
decent amount of shade. In the example below the enclosed mall does not
front on (or interact with) the sidewalk. The palm trees on this block
help to make up for that lack of building frontage and provide a
comforting sense of enclosure for pedestrians. They also add height and visual interest.
It would of course be better if the building opened to the the sidewalk
rather than relying on a landscaping band-aid. (Side note: That bus
stop blocks the entire sidewalk and should be moved a few feet into the
landscaped area.)
