Today, the palm garden has formed a microclimate, where the large, old survivors of those early frosts protect the small and less hardy trees. But the trees fared better in subsequent freezes, and by the late 1930s, after searching for palms in California, Europe, and Japan, Hertrich had a thriving collection of 450 plants, representing 148 species. More young specimens succumbed during the severe winter of 1922, and Hertrich began to doubt that an outdoor collection of palms was suitable for the region's climate. Most of the lost trees were young or newly planted, which made them especially vulnerable to the freeze. A cold winter in 1913, with temperatures dropping to 22 degrees Fahrenheit, destroyed half of the collection. Huntington's superintendent, the palm collection steadily increased, but a number of setbacks were encountered. Under the direction of William Hertrich, Mr. The palm, which can be seen today in the northwest section of the Desert Garden, still appears to bear the scars of that great conflagration. A stately specimen of the Canary Island date palm ( Phoenix canariensis) was brought to San Marino from the San Francisco home of Huntington's uncle, Collis, after that residence was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. Huntington greatly admired the tropical appearance and dignified proportions of the trees, and was interested in their horticultural uses. Huntington's 600-acre ranch were being envisioned, a palm collection was among the first priorities.
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