A cell tower disguised as a eucalyptus tree is tucked away at the rear of a Santa Ana business park. — Los Angeles Times/TNS
LOS ANGELES: A gentle breeze rustles the eucalyptus tree, its dark green foliage quivering under a cloudy Santa Ana sky. At the base of its sturdy trunk, the leaves of a fallen branch bear the scars of hungry insects.
A stand of eucalyptuses sways across the road. But this tree, surrounded by a spiky metal fence, isn’t like the others.
“AT&T authorized personnel only!” a sign warns.
This tree isn’t actually a tree at all – it’s a cellular transmission tower, one among hundreds or more that now blanket Southern California.