Trees in Paradise Quotes

“Most dictionaries define tree as a large, perennial, single-trunked, woody plant. This is misleading, for a palm tree contains no wood. Botanists themselves do not bother to distinguish trees from nontrees. Instead, they divide plants into more precise categories, such as angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms (nonflowering). Angiosperms comprise two diagnostic types, monocots and dicots. Monocots, including palms, are less complex than dicots. They develop from a single embryonic leaf, have basic flowers and no secondary growth (wood). The rootstock is adventitious, meaning that the underground shoots develop independently; the tree has no radicle, or primary root. The simplicity of monocots enhances their agricultural tility. As crops, they supply us with essential carbohydrates—think bananas, yuccas, and edible grasses (rice, wheat, maize, cane). From a botanist’s point of view, a palm is not so different from a giant stalk of grass.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“Fan palms turned into flamethrowers as Santa Ana winds lofted burning fronds hundreds of feet into the air.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“The best definition of tree is simply a single-trunk plant filled with human meaning. Trees are floral organisms we honor as individuals, as analogies to humans.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“the writer Lisa Alvarez saw a teenager pouring gasoline onto the base of a palm near LAPD headquarters. Alvarez remembers speaking out in defense of the plant as the boy reached for his matchbook: “ ‘Listen, lady,’ he says, leaning close. ‘It’s not a real tree. It’s a fake one. They’re all fake.’ He swings his arms toward the city trees that stand at attention in their little plots of dirt. ‘They shouldn’t be here. I’m taking this one out. Don’t worry. It’ll be all right.’ ” This palm, and many others, burned like giant matchsticks that evening.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“The burly woodsman who attaks the diminutive pine of the east must experience remorse, as would a strong man who made war upon a boy, but [the Redwood] is something to compel his respect; he must feel that in grappling with these monsters he is doing the work of a Hercules.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“Trust the horticulturalist: California's genius may be green, but it's underlying beauty is brown.”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

“It’s not a good idea to put fruit trees in parks,” said a city official. “People throw it.” Historic”
― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History