### Tuscan Echoes: The Italianate Cypress Allées of Santa Monica Boulevard As one drives down Santa Monica Boulevard, the stately Italian Cypress trees that line the street evoke the grand villas of Tuscany. This deliberate planting of Italian Cypress trees is a testament to the early 20th-century landscape designers' desire to imbue Beverly Hills with Mediterranean prestige. In the early 20th century, landscape designers sought to create a sense of grandeur and sophistication in Beverly Hills. They drew inspiration from the Mediterranean region, where cypress trees were a ubiquitous feature of the landscape. The Italian Cypress, in particular, was prized for its vertical accent and ability to create a sense of drama and elegance. The planting of Italian Cypress trees on Santa Monica Boulevard was a deliberate attempt to create a sense of continuity with the Mediterranean region. The designers aimed to evoke the feeling of driving through the rolling hills and picturesque villages of Tuscany, rather than the bustling streets of Los Angeles. As one passes by the luxury vehicles on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Italian Cypress trees create a sense of verticality and drama. The trees' dark green foliage and slender trunks create a striking contrast with the bright lights and bustling activity of the street. The effect is one of understated elegance, a nod to the sophistication and refinement of the Mediterranean region. Today, the Italian Cypress trees on Santa Monica Boulevard remain a beloved feature of the Beverly Hills landscape. They continue to evoke the grand villas of Tuscany and the sense of Mediterranean prestige that early 20th-century landscape designers sought to create. ### Image Credit * Photo: Italian Cypress trees on Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA * Source: [Beverly Hills Landmark Historian Collection]