>> "VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] >> WELL, HELLO EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WE HAVE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF NURSERIES.

NURSERIES THAT PROVIDE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS AND TREES AND FLOWERS FOR OUR HOMES AND GARDENS AND BUSINESSES.

WELL TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING THE WHOLE DAY IN ONE OF THOSE NURSERIES.

BUT THIS NURSERY IS ACTUALLY MORE THAN JUST A TRADITIONAL, BEAUTIFUL NURSERY.

IN FACT, IT'S A LOT MORE THAN YOUR USUAL, TRADITIONAL NURSERY.

AND HERE TO TELL US WHY THIS PLACE IS SO DIFFERENT AND ACTUALLY LET EVERYBODY KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE--JULIE, YOUR FAMILY HAS OWNED THIS PLACE SINCE?

>> 1937.

>> OK. NOW, LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND WHY THIS NURSERY IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE REST.

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN HERE IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD SINCE 1988, SERVING THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY WITH TV, FILM, COMMERCIALS--YOU NAME IT, WE DO IT.

>> YOU PROVIDE THE PLANTS, THE FLOWERS, AND THE TREES FOR THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY.

AND THAT SIGN SAYS IT.

"SERVING THE MOTION PICTURE AND TV INDUSTRY SINCE 1937."

>> YEP.

LIVE AND FAKE.

>> LIVE AND FAKE.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THE SIGN SAYS IT IN ONE WAY.

BUT IT'S BETTER TO SAY IT WITH A PLANT.

AND TO DO THAT, WE'VE GOT IT ALL SET UP.

CUE MIGUEL!

MIGUEL'S BEEN HERE FOR HOW LONG?

>> SINCE 1984--OUR LONGEST EMPLOYEE HERE.

>> AND HE IS THE... >> HE IS THE FOREMAN OF EVERYBODY.

>> AND HE'S BRINGING IT AROUND RIGHT HERE.

COME ON AROUND HERE, MIGUEL.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE, JULIE?

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY A LIVE BONSAI.

WE JUST GOT IT BACK FROM A COMMERCIAL JUST YESTERDAY.

SO, WE'RE PUTTING IT BACK OUT INFRONT FOR DISPLAY.

>> NOW THIS IS LIVE!

>> IT'S LIVE.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS LIVE OR FAKE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TODAY.

>> UNTIL YOU TOUCH IT, THEN YOU KNOW.

>> AND DO A LOT OF PEOPLE RENT THIS OUT?

>> YES, THEY DO.

WHEN WE HAVE IT IN FRONT, IT GOES OUT BECAUSE PEOPLE SEE IT.

THEY WANT IT.

>> THEY WANT IT.

OK, MIGUEL, LET'S PLACE IT WHERE YOU NORMALLY PLACE IT.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> HOW YOU DOING?

YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

>> YES.

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1994.

>> OH WOW.

YOU'RE ALMOST AS OLD AS SOME OF THESE PLANTS AND TREES.

YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

>> I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THESE PLANTS BUT I'M STILL LEARNING.

>> YOU'RE STILL LEARNING.

WELL, WE'RE HERE TO LEARN AS WELL.

WE'RE GOING TO START THE TOUR.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE'RE GOING OR WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

IT'S STARTING OFF WITH THIS BIG BONSAI, AND I HAVE A FEELING IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER.

>> BIGGER AND BETTER.

>> BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A HUGE-- HOW BIG IS THIS LOT HERE?

>> WE'VE GOT 13 ACRES.

>> AND IT'S PACKED, FILLED TO THE BRIM.

>> TO THE CEILINGS.

>> TO THE CEILINGS WITH ARTIFICIAL AND REAL PLANTS FOR THE MOVIE INDUSTRY HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HERE WE GO.

WE'RE STARTING OUR TOUR.

HE'S SITTING IN AN ENGLISH GARDEN.

AND THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR TOUR.

STAND UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> HI.

I'M ROBERT DEXTER.

>> OK. NOW YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS GARDEN.

TELL US WHAT YOUR TITLE IS HERE AND WHY YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS ENGLISH GARDEN.

>> WELL, MY NAME IS ROBERT DEXTER, AND I AM THE MANAGER OF THE ARTIFICIAL DEPARTMENT AT JACKSON SHRUB SUPPLY.

>> THE ARTIFICIAL DEPARTMENT.

SO, ALL OF THIS IS ARTIFICIAL?

>> EVERY BIT OF IT.

>> NOW, WHO USES THIS?

WHERE WOULD THIS BE USED?

HAVE WE SEEN THIS IN MOVIES?

HAVE WE SEEN THIS ON TELEVISION SHOWS?

>> YOU'VE SEEN IT IN MOVIES.

YOU'VE SEEN IT IN TV.

WE DID THE "JURASSIC PARK" SERIES.

THE GREENSMAN CAME HERE AND GOT ALL THE STUFF THAT THEY NEEDED FOR THAT.

TV SHOWS--"GENERAL HOSPITAL."

SOAPS.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

ALL THAT STUFF IS OURS ON THERE THAT'S ARTIFICIAL.

>> WHAT IS ALL THIS DOWN HERE?

THESE ARE HUGE STATUES DOWN HERE.

>> GARDEN STATUARIES.

SO, IF YOU'RE IN "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER" AND YOU'RE IN THE GRAVEYARD--THE GRAVEYARD.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

SO, YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THIS STATUARY.

AND JULIE IS STANDING OVER HERE BY 2 MONKEYS AND 2 CRANES, SOME MUSHROOMS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS UP HERE.

THERE'S A LION HERE.

AND THERE'S--WHAT IS THAT UP THERE?

>> THEY'RE GHOSTS.

>> GHOSTS.

AND YOU'RE STANDING OVER HERE BY THE CRANES AND THE MONKEYS FOR A REASON.

>> YES.

THESE JUST GOT BACK--NOT THAT LONG AGO--FROM THE SUPER BOWL DOWN IN FLORIDA.

WE DO THE SUPER BOWLS SINCE SAN DIEGO, WE'VE BEEN DOING ALL THE PRE-SHOWS AND EVERYTHING.

>> SO, THESE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPER BOWL IN FLORIDA.

WHY WOULD THEY RENT THINGS FROM LOS ANGELES AND SHIP 'EM DOWN TO FLORIDA?

>> WELL, L.A. IS WHERE IT'S AT.

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING.

THAT'S WHY MOVIES ARE MADE HERE BECAUSE THE GOODS ARE HERE.

>> YEAH.

BUT THE SUPER BOWL'S IN FLORIDA!

>> YES, I KNOW.

>> SO, THESE CRANES--YOUR STUFF IS GOING OUT-- >> EVERYWHERE.

>> EVERYWHERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> OK. WE ARE TOURING THE SILK DEPARTMENT.

AND I AM WALKING WITH A LARGE-- >> GERBERA DAISY.

>> GERBERA?

>> GERBERA DAISY.

>> DAISY.

BOY, THIS IS A BIG DAISY.

BUT IT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE'RE GETTING READY TO SEE RIGHT HERE.

BECAUSE NOW WE'RE HOOKING UP WITH YOUR NAME, SIR, IS?

>> ALAN.

>> OK. YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE DISPLAY SET UP HERE FOR US THAT SHOWS THE SEQUENCE OF HOW YOU MAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, A ROSE BUSH.

>> RIGHT.

>> STARTING WITH?

>> THE BARE TRUNK.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PIECE OF SCRUB OAK.

AND WE'VE TAKEN THE LEAVES OFF, TRIMMED IT BACK, AND SHAPED IT TO THE HEIGHT AND WIDTH THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE THE BUSH.

>> OK.

SO, THIS IS REAL WOOD HERE?

>> IT IS.

>> THEN THE NEXT STAGE IS OVER HERE.

AND WHAT DO YOU DO HERE?

IS THIS REAL?

>> WELL, THEY COME LIKE THIS.

THEY HAVE QUITE A LONG STEM.

SO, WHAT WE DO IS WE CUT 'EM DOWN-- >> UH-HUH.

WELL, DON'T CUT IT IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO USE IT.

>> NO.

JUST GONNA CUT THEM SHORTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> OTHERWISE, WHEN WE STICK 'EM ON HERE, IT LOOKS KIND OF UNSIGHTLY.

>> SO IT HAS TO BE SHORT ON TO THE-- >> SO, YOU'RE BUILDING THESE TO SUIT A PARTICULAR CLIENT WHO SAYS THAT THEY WANT A ROSE BUSH A CERTAIN HEIGHT WITH A CERTAIN COLOR ROSES ON.

>> AND WE'LL SWITCH OUT THE COLOR SOMETIMES.

WE'LL CHANGE OUT THE HEADS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, THIS IS A RED ROSE BUSH.

BUT WE COULD HAVE MADE IT A YELLOW ROSE BUSH.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> OR, IF YOU WANTED TO BE REALLY CREATIVE, YOU COULD HAVE STUCK THIS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND CONFUSED EVERYBODY.

>> YEAH.

WE COULD.

WHATEVER YOU WANT.

YOU'RE THE CUSTOMER.

>> WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?

>> "ALICE IN WONDERLAND."

>> LOOK.

AT.

THIS.

WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?

>> WE JUST PUT FLOWERS.

WE DO A LOT OF STUFF HERE.

>> BUT YOU'RE PUTTING EACH INDIVIDUAL FLOWER ON EACH TREE.

>> YEAH.

>> DO YOU EVER GET TIRED OF DOING THIS?

HOW MANY OF THESE DO YOU DO IN A DAY?

>> WE DO DIFFERENT STUFF.

YEAH.

WE HELP THEM TO MAKE UP TREES TOO.

>> SO, ONE DAY IT'S TREES.

THE NEXT DAY IT'S FLOWERS.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW--I GUESS THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS EXCITING.

YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT'S NEXT.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO WALKS IN THE FRONT DOOR THAT DAY.

>> BECAUSE LOOK, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE LITTLE FALL HOMAGE RIGHT HERE.

THE PUMPKIN PATCH.

>> YES.

THIS IS FOR A NEW SHOW THAT'S COMING OUT.

IT'S A PILOT.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO A FARMER'S MARKET.

SO, THIS IS THEIR ORDER GETTING READY.

BUT WE KIND OF SPRUCED IT UP FOR YOU GUYS.

>> SEE, EVERYTHING HERE HAS AN EVENTUAL HOME, DOESN'T IT?

I MEAN, YOU DON'T JUST MAKE THIS FOR THE HECK OF IT.

>> NO, WE DON'T.

>> IT'S ALL PART OF BUSINESS.

>> CORRECT.

WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS--THESE GO OUT A LOT FOR WEDDINGS.

PEOPLE LOVE 'EM FOR WEDDINGS.

ALL THE TIME.

SO, THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN HAVE THEM BLOOM ALL YEAR ROUND IS TO HAVE THEM FAKE.

>> WHAT IS THIS?

A PEACH TREE?

>> IT'S A CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE.

>> A CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

NICE JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NICE JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

A CEMETERY.

>> YES.

WE HAVE CEMETERIES.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE KIND OF SPECIALIZE IN.

WE HAVE THE MOST TOMBSTONES.

THEY'RE VERY LIGHT.

THEY'RE ALL MADE OUT OF FIBERGLASS.

>> LOOK AT THIS!

A WHOLE COLLECTION OF FIBERGLASS TOMBSTONES.

>> ALSO, WE HAVE MAUSOLEUMS UP AT THE TOP, AND WE HAVE CRYPTS UP HERE.

>> HA!

>> WE MAKE ALL THESE OURSELVES.

>> SO, WHAT'S GOING ON BACK HERE?

YOU HAVE A SHOP THAT FABRICATES ALL THIS STUFF?

>> EXACTLY.

WE HAVE A FABRICATING SHOP RIGHT HERE.

WE DO ALL OUR FIBERGLASS WORK HERE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

WE'VE GOT A STREETLAMP.

>> THIS IS ALL FIBERGLASS.

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE A PALM TREE.

>> IT'S A FAKE PALM TREE.

YES.

MADE OUT OF FIBERGLASS.

>> GOSH!

>> WE MAKE THE MOLDS.

WE MAKE THEM.

WE REPAIR THEM.

EVERYTHING IS DONE IN-HOUSE.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

AND LOOK BACK HERE.

HERE'S THE GUY--GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, SIR!

>> WHAT ARE YOU MAKING OVER HERE?

>> NOW I'M WORKING ON [INDISTINCT] FIBERGLASS.

>> CAN WE HOLD IT UP A MINUTE AND LOOK AT IT?

THIS IS A FIBERGLASS ROCK.

>> ALL FIBERGLASS.

>> SO, YOU CAN MAKE EVERYTHING FROM STREETLIGHTS TO ROCKS TO TOMBSTONES.

>> YEAH.

I MAKE A DIFFERENT.

I WORK IN ON COLUMNS AND WORK ON ROCKS AND [INDISTINCT] STONES.

>> LOOK.

COME OVER HERE.

YOU MADE ALL THIS?

YOU MADE THESE?

>> MAKE THIS.

[INDISTINCT] THIS.

>> LOOK AT YOU.

YOU SHOULD DO THIS FOR--WELL, YOU DO DO IT FOR A LIVING.

BUT YOU COULD BE A POTTER.

YOU COULD MAKE REAL THINGS.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW I HAVE TO WORK IN FIBERGLASS.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE A DIFFERENT RIGHT HERE INSIDE.

LET ME SHOW YOU HERE.

>> WOW.

LOOK AT THIS.

YOUR NAME, SIR, IS?

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

>> MY NAME'S RICARDO ORIANA.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

AND WE'RE STANDING HERE NEXT TO--LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK AT IT FROM THIS ANGLE.

A BIG OLD ROCK TURNED ON ITS SIDE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING TO ME.

WE ARE WALKING THROUGH A REDWOOD FOREST.

AND I HAVE HOOKED UP WITH THE OWNER OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

DID YOUR DAD START THIS?

>> MY GRANDFATHER STARTED IT, ACTUALLY.

>> YOUR GRANDFATHER.

SO, THIS IS LIKE--AND THEN YOUR DAUGHTER.

SO, THIS IS 4 GENERATIONS.

>> CORRECT.

>> HOW MANY OF THESE PLACES ARE THERE?

>> THERE'S BASICALLY ONLY 2 OF THEM.

AND THEY'RE IN OUR TOWN HERE.

>> 2 IN LOS ANGELES.

>> YEAH.

WELL, IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

>> IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> YES.

>> WHY ONLY 2 PLACES LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, WE'RE MORE SET UP FOR THE PLANTS--OUR CLIMATE.

BACK EAST IF YOU WANT TREES IN THE WINTERTIME, THE HEDGES WE HAVE WOULD ALL FREEZE.

AND BACK EAST WHEN THEY'RE DOING FILMING BACK THERE, THEY WANT A BIG TREE, THEY'LL GO OUT IN THE FOREST, THEY'LL DIG IT UP, GIVE IT TO YOU IN A BURLAP BAG.

AND IT WON'T STAND UP.

>> SO, ANY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY THAT WANTS THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL COMES HERE OR TO THE OTHER PLACE THAT'S YOUR COMPETITION.

>> WELL, THE THING IS THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT, YOU ALMOST HAVE TO COME HERE TO USE IT.

BECAUSE WE'RE RESTRICTED WHERE IT CAN BE SHIPPED.

>> OH, OK.

SO, THE LIVE STUFF-- AND THIS IS ALL LIVE.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH REDWOOD TREES?

YOU GOT A WHOLE ROW OF REDWOOD TREES.

>> SOMETIMES THEY'RE MOSTLY GONE AND DO A BIG FOREST.

BUT THESE ARE VERY MATURE PLANTS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE TRUNKS.

THEY'RE 4-INCH TRUNKS IN 24-INCH POTS.

>> WHAT WOULD SOMEBODY USE THESE FOR?

>> OH, HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED "STAR TREK?"

>> YEAH.

>> WELL, ALL THOSE FORESTS WERE DONE IN THE STAGE.

THEY VERY RARELY WENT OUTSIDE TO FILM.

SO, THEY WOULD GIVE US DRAWINGS OF WHAT THEY WANTED IT TO LOOK LIKE.

THEN WE TRY TO REPLICATE THAT.

>> WELL, THESE THINGS ARE JUST GOING TO KEEP GROWING BEFORE LONG.

>> WELL, WE GET NEW ONES.

>> YOU GOT THE REDWOODS OVER HERE.

AND THIS IS YOUR REAL PRIDE AND JOY OVER HERE.

YOU SAID THAT IF WE'D BEEN HERE RECENTLY, THIS WOULD HAVE ALL BEEN GONE.

>> THE ACADEMY AWARDS USE CLOSE TO 900 FEET OF LOWER HEDGES.

>> SO, ALL OF THESE HEDGES, ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE, YOU'RE CLIENT WAS THE ACADEMY MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES.

>> YES.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THE ACADEMY AWARDS FOR ABOUT 28 YEARS.

>> WOW.

AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN, WHAT?

NEAR THE RED CARPET AREA?

>> YES.

>> YOU LIKE THE LIVE STUFF, DON'T YOU?

>> IT'S A NICE MIXTURE.

I LIKE COLLECTING THE OLD STUFF TOO.

>> DID THEY DO IT PRETTY MUCH THE SAME BACK IN 1937 WHEN THEY STARTED IT AS THEY'RE DOING IT TODAY?

>> NO.

WHEN MY GRANDFATHER STARTED THE BUSINESS, IT WAS ALL CUT BRUSH.

HE WOULD GO ALONG, ACTUALLY OUT BY VENTURA BOULEVARD, AND HE COULD CUT OAK THERE.

IT WAS AN OAK PATCH IN THOSE DAYS.

AND WHEN I WAS IN IT, WE WENT TO THE FILLMORE AREA OUT IN THERE.

WE HAD A PLACE TO CUT OAK ON NEWHALL.

>> BUT I MEAN STUFF LIKE THIS, I MEAN YOU GOTTA GROW ALL THIS.

THIS IS IN MANY WAYS LIKE A TRADITIONAL NURSERY IN MANY WAYS, ISN'T IT?

>> YOU CAN GET HEDGES AT A TRADITIONAL NURSERY.

>> THESE ARE REAL.

WE JUST SAW THEM MAKING THE ARTIFICIAL ONES.

>> THEY ONLY BLOOM WHEN THEY'RE REAL FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF OR 2.

AND A LOT OF OUR SOAPS, THEY'RE ACTUALLY FILMING SPRING A MONTH BEFORE SPRING.

SO, YOU HAVE TO DO ARTIFICIALS IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, AS GOOD AS THE ARTIFICIALS ARE, THOUGH, THE REAL THINGS HAVE THE BEES WORKING ON THEM.

THEY DON'T WORK ON THE ARTIFICIALS ONES, DO THEY?

>> NO, THEY DON'T.

>> THIS IS THE REAL THING.

>> BUT THE ACTORS DON'T LIKE THE BEES.

>> THE MORE YOU LOOK AT THIS PART OF THE NURSERY, THIS IS YOUR MORE TRADITIONAL, LIVE NURSERY.

AND WE ARE STANDING OVER HERE, GARY, NEXT TO THESE BEAUTIFUL BOXWOODS.

BECAUSE YOU SAID THESE ARE VERY HISTORIC.

>> YEAH.

UNIVERSAL HAD THESE PLANTS.

AND THEY CLOSED THEIR GREENS DEPARTMENT DOWN PROBABLY 20 YEARS AGO.

ANOTHER COMPANY BOUGHT THESE FROM THEM.

AND WE BOUGHT THEM OUT.

BUT THESE ARE PROBABLY 60+ YEAR OLD PLANTS.

>> AND THE STARTED AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS.

>> I THINK SO, YES.

>> DID THE BIG STUDIOS USED TO HAVE A LOT OF THIS STUFF ON THE LOT?

>> YES.

AT ONE TIME, MGM, PARAMOUNT, THEY ALL HAD THEIR OWN GREENS DEPARTMENTS AT ONE TIME.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEY'VE--SINCE THAT TIME THE LAND IS WORTH TOO MUCH TO PARK PLANTS ON THERE.

SO, THEY TURNED THEM INTO OFFICE SPACES.

>> WELL, HOW DID YOUR GRANDFATHER MAKE A LIVING BACK IN 1937?

HE WAS COMPETING WITH THE BIG BOYS AT THE MOVIE STUDIOS.

>> AT THE TIME HE STARTED, HE DID NOT DO PLANT RENTALS.

HE DID CUT BRUSH.

SO, AT THAT TIME IT WAS PINE TREES, CUT BRUSH.

MOST THINGS HE DID, HE CALLED THE BRUSH TO HIDE THE CAN.

'CAUSE THEY HAD TO HIDE THE NURSERY CAN ON STAGES.

SO, IF YOU LOOK AT OLD FILMS, YOU'LL SEE A PALM TREE OR A GIANT BIRD OF PARADISE OUT ON THE BEACH, IT'LL BE SURROUNDED LITTLE CUT BRUSH.

IT'LL BE LIKE A CHERRY BUSH WITH A PLANT GROWING OUT OF IT.

>> SO, YOUR GRANDFATHER STARTED ACTUALLY WITH BRUSH.

>> CUT BRUSH, YES.

>> CUT BRUSH.

AND IT'S GROWN INTO THIS.

>> YEAH.

THIS HAS BEEN SINCE '74 WE'VE BEEN STARTING THE PLANT RENTAL.

>> WE'RE STANDING BEHIND WHAT I SAID WAS A BIG TREE BUT, JULIE, YOU AND YOUR DAD SAID THIS ISN'T A BIG TREE AT ALL.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

THIS IS PROBABLY ABOUT 12-14 FEET.

WE'LL GO 30-40 FEET.

>> 30 OR 40 FEET?!

>> SURE.

YEAH.

>> NOW IS THIS--THIS IS REAL!

>> THIS IS A REAL TREE.

WE CUT IT.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S BASE DOWN HERE.

>> SO, WAIT A MINUTE.

IT'S LIVE.

BUT IT'S NOT ROOTED.

SO, IT'S NOT GOING TO LIVE FOREVER.

>> YEAH.

WE CALL THESE STOCK TREES.

>> STOCK TREES.

>> THEY LIVE FOREVER AT OUR YARD.

>> AND THEN WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

>> WE DRESS IT OUT WITH BRANCHES.

THIS IS A PEPPER BRANCH.

WE GO AND WE CUT THEM FRESH WHEN WE DRESS 'EM.

WE'VE DONE OAK, SUMAC.

WE DO MAGNOLIA.

WHATEVER YOU WANT.

AND WHAT WE DO, IS WE ATTACH THE BRANCHES.

NOW, I HAD MY GUY DO ONLY HALF THE TREE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE STRUCTURE.

BECAUSE NORMALLY WE COVER IT UP A LOT MORE SO YOU CAN'T TELL.

>> SO, YOU ATTACH--YOU CAN MAKE THE TREE AS FULL AS YOU WANT TO--'CAUSE THIS WILL BE BUILT OUT ALL OVER ON THIS SIDE.

>> THIS IS LITERALLY JUST A PART OF A TREE.

IT WOULD GO ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> AND THIS FOOLS PEOPLE.

YOU GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TOO, DON'T YA?

>> YES, YOU DO.

ESPECIALLY WEDDINGS.

THEY'LL GO INTO A BALLROOM AND SEE 30-FOOT WIDE TREE IN THE BALLROOM.

THEY'LL LOOK UP AND THEY'LL GO, "HOW'D THEY GET THAT THROUGH THE DOOR?"

AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY JUST SHAKE THEIR HEAD AND WALK ON.

THEY DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT.

I GUESS THE FIGURED SOME HOW THEY MANAGED IT.

>> THE WAY YOU GOT IT IN WAS YOU BRING THE TRUNK IN FIRST, AND THEN YOU BUILD THE TREE.

>> YEP.

WE BUILD IT ON LOCATION.

>> FIBERGLASS LOG ON THE TOP AND BOY, YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME.

THAT THINK LOOKS REAL.

BUT, GARY, YOU TELL ME ALL THIS OTHER WOOD IS REAL.

AND THAT BRINGS TO MIND THE QUESTION--WHEN WE WERE STANDING OVER THERE AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU BUILD THESE TREES, DO YOU DESTROY BEAUTIFUL--THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE WORRIED THAT YOU'RE DESTROYING A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL TREES TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS.

>> YEAH.

WHAT WE DO--WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT REMOVE TREES FROM SOMEONE'S HOUSE.

LIKE YOU CALL SOMEONE TO HAVE THEM TAKE THE TREE OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.

THEY'LL CALL US UP AND WE'LL GO GET THE TRUNK.

THEY'LL CUT ALL THE STRUCTURE OUT.

TREES FALL DOWN IN THE WIND.

WE GET THOSE.

>> YOU'RE ALWAYS OUT LOOKING FOR TREES THAT HAVE FALLEN DOWN?

>> I SEE TREES THAT DIE IN--LIKE, A BIRCH TREE DIES IN YOUR YARD.

I'LL KNOCK ON THE DOOR, SEE IF YOU WANT US TO TAKE IT OUT.

WE'LL ACTUALLY PAY YOU TO TAKE THE TREE OUT.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE LIMBS, THE LIVE LIMBS THAT YOU'RE STRAPPING ON THESE TRUNKS?

>> THE CUT BRUSH, THAT'S FROM A RENEWABLE SOURCE.

OAK TREES.

YOU CAN'T CUT AS MUCH AS YOU USED TO WHEN I WAS A KID.

THERE'S RANCHES WHEN I WAS A KID WE CUT IT.

AND 25 YEARS LATER, WE'RE STILL TRIMMING THE SAME TREE.

>> SO, IT'S A RENEWABLE RESOURCE.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES.

JULIE, WE'RE STANDING IN FRONT OF THIS FAKE TOMBSTONE THAT HAS YOUR NAME ON IT.

AND IT SAYS YOU DIED IN 1977.

>> CORRECT.

BUT THAT WAS BEFORE I WAS ACTUALLY BORN SO I DON'T JINX MYSELF.

>> WHY DID YOU MAKE--LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS SO LIGHT.

>> YEAH.

WELL, ALL THE TOMBSTONES, THEY NEED TO HAVE A FAKE NAME OR A CLEARED NAME.

BECAUSE IF YOU SEE YOUR OWN NAME ON THERE, YOU COULD SUE THE SERIES OR WHATEVER.

>> SO, YOUR NAME IS ON A TOMBSTONE THAT'S ON MOVIES AND TELEVISION SHOWS.

>> CORRECT.

>> LET'S STAND OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE THIS IS--THEY'VE GOT A LITTLE GRAVEYARD MOTIF SET UP HERE IN FRONT OF THE MAIN OFFICE.

LOOK AT THIS.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN THE GRAVEYARD.

LOOK AT THE OLD CRYPT OVER HERE.

THIS LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING.

AND OF COURSE IT'S ALL FAKE.

IT'S ALL MADE OUT OF FIBERGLASS.

AND IT'S ALL FOR RENT.

REST IN PEACE.

AND YOU MUST BE STRONG LOADING UP ALL THESE ROCKS.

>> YOU KNOW, I WORK OUT A LITTLE BIT.

>> THESE THINGS ARE ALL-- >> THEY'RE ALL FIBERGLASS.

>> ALL FIBERGLASS.

WOW.

LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK AT THESE.

WE'VE GOT MORE ROCKS OVER HERE.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THESE THINGS.

THEY LOOK REAL.

[HOLLOW KNOCKING] BUT THEY'RE ALL FIBERGLASS.

LOOK, I CAN ALMOST PULL THIS ONE OVER ON TOP OF ME.

YOU GOT SOME COVERED WITH SNOW.

YOU'VE GOT SOME POINTED ONES.

GOT SOME SMALLER ONES DOWN HERE.

AND RIGHT OVER HERE, THEY'RE LOADING UP TO DO A MUSIC VIDEO.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE STRIKING WHILE THE IRON IS HOT.

WE SAW THESE LADIES AND THEY SAID WE GOTTA COME OVER REAL QUICK, 'CAUSE SHE'S ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> CORIANDER.

>> AND YOU ARE HERE LOOKING FOR STUFF FOR WHAT?

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE GRIFFITH PARK LOOK LIKE CENTRAL PARK.

>> AND WHAT IS THIS FOR?

>> IT'S FOR A PHOTO SHOOT.

>> FOR A PHOTO SHOOT FOR A MAGAZINE, A COMMERCIAL?

>> FOR A FASHION DESIGNER.

>> SO, HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR OVER HERE?

WHAT WAS ON YOUR WISH LIST WHEN YOU CAME OVER HERE TODAY?

>> WELL, MAPLES, ELMS, AUTUMN-LOOKING TREES.

AUTUMN LEAVES.

DIRT.

WE'VE GOT-- >> SO, WAIT A MINUTE.

YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE ALL OF THIS TO GRIFFITH PARK-- >> YES.

>> AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE CENTRAL PARK IN NEW YORK.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

'CAUSE WE WORK MAGIC.

>> WE'RE COMING OUT OF A CAVE.

AND I'M COMING OUT OF THE CAVE.

BRANDON, YOU'RE PART OF--WELL, ACTUALLY YOU'RE PART OF THE FAMILY.

AND YOU MADE THIS WHOLE SET UP HERE.

>> IT'S MY FIRST CREATION.

MY FIRST MASTERPIECE.

LUCKILY MY COUSIN AND MY UNCLE LET ME TAKE UPON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS.

AND I LOVE IT.

IT'S GOOD STUFF.

>> HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO?

YOU HAD TO PLACE THE PLANTS.

YOU MADE THE ROCKS.

YOU DID THE WHOLE THING.

>> WELL, WE DECIDED WE WANTED TO GO TROPICAL.

SO, WE FOUND SOME ROCKS THAT WERE FUN-LOOKING WHERE WE CAN HANG STUFF OFF IT.

LOOK FOR TROPICAL-LOOKING PLANTS.

GOT SOME GROUND COVERAGE, SOME BOSTON FERNS.

FOUND LIKE-- >> FOUND A LITTLE FOUNTAIN.

ARE THESE REAL?

>> THOSE ARE NOT REAL.

>> THOSE ARE FAKE.

>> OH, MY--LOOK AT THIS.

WELL, THIS HAS GOT TO BE IN YOUR DNA, THOUGH, IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

THIS PROBABLY COMES NATURAL.

>> I'M STARTING TO FEEL THAT WAY.

THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> BE CAREFUL!

DON'T STICK YOURSELF.

WE'RE COMING OUT OF A WHOLE LITTLE--WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS--HOMAGE TO THE CACTI RIGHT HERE.

>> SAGUARO CACTUS.

>> WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THESE?

>> SOME OF THESE ORIGINATED WHEN "MEN IN BLACK" WAS DONE.

THEY MADE SOME UP.

AND WE GOT SOME OF THEM FROM THAT SHOW.

SO, THESE HAVE ALL BEEN USED MANY, MANY TIMES.

>> OH, YES.

YES.

>> BUT LOOK AT THIS.

THIS LOOKS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS.

>> WELL, WE ADD ARTIFICIAL SPIKES TO THEM IF THEY WANT THEM.

THERE'S AN EXTRA CHARGE FOR THAT OF COURSE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

THEY'RE FIBERGLASS.

>> YES.

>> BUT SEE, I'D BE WORRIED.

I'D WANT YOU TO TELL ME FOR SURE AHEAD OF TIME BECAUSE YOU COULD GET HURT ON THESE THINGS.

>> OH, NOT THOSE ONES.

>> I HAD A CUSTOMER WHO WAS ON STAGE.

WE HAD THE ARTIFICIAL ONES AND WE HAD SOME REAL CACTUS.

AND HE WAS GOING UP TO THE ARTIFICIAL ONES AND HE WAS GOING "OH, THESE ARE COOL."

SO, HE GOES OVER AND SHOWS HIS FRIEND.

"LOOK.

THESE AREN'T REAL."

AND HE GRABBED A REAL ONE.

AND HE ABOUT WENT THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> NOW HERE'S A COLLECTION OF YOUR OLD STOCK TREES.

BOY, THIS ONE'S REALLY OLD.

AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF?

>> THE PALM TREES WE GROW HERE AND WE CUT THE PALM FRONDS OFF OF THEM.

>> AND THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE.

>> YES.

WE PLANTED THEM FROM 1-GALLON CANS.

AND THERE'S 160 OF THEM HERE.

>> WOW.

LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK AT THIS.

AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE ARE THESE STOCK TREES THAT GARY BASICALLY RESCUED OUT OF PEOPLE'S YARDS ALL OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

AND THEY'VE COME HERE AND FOUND A NEW LIFE.

WHAT ARE THESE WHITE ONES OVER HERE?

>> THEY'RE BIRCH TREES.

THEY COME FROM BACK EAST.

AND WE GET THEM IN.

AND THE ONES PAINTED WHITE ARE USUALLY FOR CHRISTMAS.

PEOPLE PAINT THEM WHITE AND PUT LIGHTS IN THEM.

OR FOR A SHOW LIKE THE SOAPS WHERE THEY WANT A WINTER LOOK, WE BASE THEM UP.

AND THAT'S THE WINTER LOOK.

>> I'LL NEVER LOOK AT A TREE THE SAME WAY AGAIN.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COME OVER HERE.

>> YEAH.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YES.

THESE SWAMP CYPRUS TREES WERE ORIGINALLY MADE FOR THE MUPPET MOVIE, WHICH WAS FILMED PROBABLY IN THE '70s.

>> AND TO THINK I GOT EXCITED WHEN I SAW THAT BONSAI TREE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TOUR.

LOOK WHERE WE'RE ENDING UP.

BOY, WE HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING ON THIS TOUR.

WE'RE ENDING UP HERE IN THE--WHAT IS THIS CALLED, GARY?

>> WHERE WE KEEP OUR STOCK TREES WE CALL THIS.

>> THE STOCK TREE YARD.

AND YOU'VE GOT TELEPHONE POLES HERE TOO.

>> WELL, YOU NEED TO RENT TELEPHONE POLES SOMETIMES.

>> HA!

AND THE NAME OF THIS PLACE IS?

>> JACKSON SHRUB SUPPLY.

>> JACKSON SHRUB SUPPLY.

I WAS GOING TO SAY JACKSON NURSERY.

BUT THE SHRUB GOES BACK TO THE WAY YOUR GRANDFATHER STARTED ALL THIS IN 1937 WITH SHRUBS.

>> CORRECT.

HE JUST DID THE CUT BRUSH, PINE TREES, CUT BRUSH, SUMAC, OAK.

WHATEVER.

>> AND IT'S GROWN TO THIS.

>> IT'S GROWN TO THIS, YEAH.

>> ONE OF, WELL, 2 IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY BASICALLY.

>> YEP.

>> RIGHT HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

>> NORTH HOLLYWOOD, YES.

>> DO PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE?

I KNOW THAT MOVIE PEOPLE DO.

>> MOVIE PEOPLE DO.

YEP.

>> WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE JUST DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE STREET?

>> YOU KNOW, BASICALLY YEAH.

IF THEY COME IN FROM TIME TO TIME.

SOMETIMES WE'LL GET EVEN WEDDING COORDINATORS WALK IN GET INTERESTED.

AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW WE'RE DOING BAR MITZVAHS, WEDDINGS, PARTIES.

>> WELL, AND THEY SEE THOSE BIG ROCKS AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET.

>> AND EVEN THIS ALONG THE STREET.

>> WONDERING WHAT THE HECK IS THIS.

>> YEAH.

ALL THESE FAKE TREES?

THERE'S NOTHING ON TOP.

YOU KNOW, YOU THINK IT'S REAL TILL YOU LOOK UP.

>> ARE THESE?

THESE ARE REAL?

>> THOSE ARE REAL, YES.

THE ONE'S BEHIND IT, NO.

THOSE ARE ONES THAT RICARDO MADE THAT WE SAW EARLIER.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY WE'VE HAD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

4TH GENERATION AND STILL GOING STRONG.

JACKSON SCRUB-- >> SHRUB!

>> SHRUB.

JACKSON SHRUB SUPPLY HERE IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD.

BOY, IT'S PART OF THE MOVIE INDUSTRY, THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY, THE WEDDING INDUSTRY, PRIVATE PARTY INDUSTRY.

IT'S BEEN HERE SINCE 1937.

AND BOY THIS IS A REAL FIND.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND EYE-OPENING FUN AND EDUCATIONAL DAY HERE AT THIS WONDERFUL PLACE.

THIS PLACE IS A FIND.

AND PART OF HISTORY AS WELL.

HOLLYWOOD HISTORY.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] >> "VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...