A Birch by Any Other Name Would Be As Grand

The design for a new building and grounds for the Anchorage Museum of History and Art is only a computer model at this point, but wouldn't you know it, some people are already expressing dissatisfaction with the proposal of landscape architect Charles Anderson, reports the Anchorage Daily News.

Anderson envisions a birch forest, a lawn and a large rectangular pool that would double as an ice rink in the winter. Flowering trees, shrubs, native plants and flowers will also be added to the mix, but the birches bother some, which was expressed at a public meeting. Who could complain about a lovely birch forest? The birch complaints included: too many; shouldn't be lined up, but randomly placed; will create an aphid problem.

The design team expressed its resolve to keep the birches in the landscape.