I moved the plaque back to the former temporary tree site, the neighboring eucalyptus sapling. This tree is thriving without any help from me. I DID NOT PLANT THIS EUCALYPTUS tree. It was just there. I have made my peace with the Eucalypts on the hill top. I know that they are not indigenous and problematic. But, it was there. And it survives unlike everything I plant.  I am not interfering with their process or sacrifice another tree at this time. I have come to realize that this is more about place than planting trees.

Eucalyptus sapling

The oak tree died in December 2008. I increased water supply to the tree, but it was not enough.

I blame myself for not getting it enough water. I also blame myself for planting near eucalyptus trees. I had no idea that they put out toxins in the soil to kill competitors and were such water suckers. This may be what killed the oak and the pine trees. Or it may have contributed to their demise. I found this out in October 2008. I tried to get more water to the oak, but it just wasn't enough.

Dead oak tree

Leaves of dead oak tree

This coastal live oak was planted in late July 2008 to replace the dead tree. After doing some research I learned that this is an indigenous species that is very hearty and grows quite large. There are many of these trees about 100 feet from the site.

The plaque was moved from the temporary location to the new site right near by. You can see the eucalyptus behind the oak in the picture on the right below. The oak is currently experiencing problems due to drought here and extreme heat. The eucalyptus is, of course, doing just fine. I am trying to get more water up there consistently to help the tree.

Planting
Coastal live oak with plaque planted in late July.	Oak in foreground, eucalyptus (temp. site) in background. The eucalyptus is doing very well. October 1, 2008.
Coastal live oak detail. Tree is not doing well. I recently discovered that it is probably not getting enough water and too much full sun (heat) on the hill. October 1, 2008.	Coastal live oak detail. Drought damage. Heat wave here in Los Angeles. Attempting to save the tree. October 1, 2008.

Dead Tree, July 2008.

The tree died due to drought regardless of the many trips up the hill with five-gallon drums of water that I made. I have learned a few things. I feel terrible planting a tree that was not meant to survive in this area. I am going to replant a drought resistant tree nearby. In the meantime, I have moved the plaque to another tree nearby, a Eucalyptus sapling that appears to be doing well. It is a borrowed tree location to act as a temporary site. The plaque is also starting to fade. I will need to re-engrave a new slate; this one was not set deep enough.

Temporary tree site, eucalyptus Sapling.

Circle dances, Deborah Hay, and 70s vinyl
Psychic Bazaar Fundraiser for Lhasa

Spring Sprang Sprung! Free Your Mind! Free Your Body! Free Tibet!

The Rites of Spring at Tree and Space
Sunday March 23rd at 2pm

Meet at Sea and Space at 1:30 pm for a hike to the tree
4755 York Blvd.
LA, CA 90042
map

Sea and Space Explorations, Krystal Krunch, and artSpa invite you to a bountiful, beautiful, productive day of springtime paganism, worship, and compassionate giving. We will take a delightful stroll from Sea and Space to Tree and Space, the soon-to-be site of a cornucopia of art activities and earthly rummagings. There we will engage in merry fruitful circle dances galore, a la Deborah Hay (http://deborahhay.com/bio.html) and 70s vinyl. Exhausted from our sweet rituals, we will then travel back to Sea and Space set down for a psychic bazaar to raise emergency funds for Lhasa.

Energy/aura readings * psychics * Tarot readings * Mini yoga lessons and consultations* Art works * Flea market bin bargains * Fabulous blanket massage * Talk to a Tibetan monk. Works by:  Kristina Faragher, Krystal Krunch, Curt LeMieux, Carol McDowell, Adam Overton, Michael Smoler,  Lindsey Walker, and mystery psychic.

Sea and Space is the gathering place and sponsor.
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WHAT IS TREE & SPACE?
Tree and Space
A place artwork* originated by Lara Bank, 2008.
http://treeandspace.org

A space defined by a pine tree planted to serve as a location for public art practices. It is unregulated and open to all to utilize. A brass marker is placed on location to aid in tree identification. Anyone should be able to perform or do an artwork near or with the tree. If you do an artwork at the tree and want it to be documented online at treeandspace.org, email info@treeandspace.org. Eventually the website should be a wiki and open to all to modify.

TREASURE HUNT STYLE MAP - Wow! Take me now! In color. In black and white
DIRECTIONS - treeandspace.org
CONTACT - info@treeandspace.org

*Place art is art that creates and defines a spatial location to be occupied by the artwork, statements, and thoughts of others. © Lara Bank, 2008. larabank.com