As we were speeding by on the highway, we passed a section of “forest” that was behind iron fencing. My daughter remarked that that wasn’t very “friendly” of them to keep all those trees for themselves behind a fence. We then passed a subdivision entrance that was planted with sweeping lawn and trimmed shrubbery. This looks much more friendly. But is it really?

What is a “friendly” landscape? One that looks inviting, or one that actually is?

No one can actually use the expanse of lawn at the entrance to that upscale subdivision. If they did, I’m sure the police would ask them what they thought they were doing and how they got there. No sidewalks lead to it. Bound on one side by a freeway, on another by a major thoroughfare, and on the third by one of those decorative walls, it is completely inaccessible to pedestrians. Perfectly manicured lawn and exotic plants are of no use to wildlife. No butterflies pause there, no animals find shelter. And the chemicals used on that bit of “inviting landscape” no doubt kill birds and butterflies galore!

The fence bound “forest” can actually be used. It is home to many little wild critters and birds. And it can be accessed on the other side by people. No one needs to access it from the freeway: it isn’t as though there are any pedestrians there! So as unfriendly as it looks, it is in reality the real inviting landscape!

When we design a space, such as our own yard, we need to think about whether it is a “friendly” space. A front yard needs to look inviting, yes, but more importantly it needs to be inviting.