For more than fifty years, a Melaleuca nesophila—known locally as the Pink Lady—stood outside the Dana Point Marina Inn. Planted when the harbor was first developed, she grew into a familiar landmark, weathering decades of coastal winds and salt air.
Over time, the seaside elements gnarled her trunk, which bent but never broke, leaving it twisted like the ocean currents frozen in time. The broad canopy became part of the harbor’s identity, a tree recognized by generations of visitors and sailors who passed beneath her branches.
As our design reimagines the harbor landscape, the Pink Lady has taken her rightful place at the entrance of Dana Point Harbor. There, she stands not as a relic of the past, but as a bridge to the future—a wind-sculpted guardian watching over Dana Point Harbor’s next chapter.
Preserving a Living Landmark
Conservation is part of the backbone of our firm. When Dana Point Harbor Partners began planning the revitalization of the harbor, one of the first steps was a complete inventory of the existing trees. While not every specimen could be saved, the design team set out to identify which had both the character and the capacity to be relocated successfully.
The Pink Lady stood out immediately. “We were looking for trees with timeless character—something with shape, scale, and presence that felt true to the harbor,” explained Al Amador, EVP of Design. “The Pink Lady, with her wind-carved trunk and oceanic form, was the perfect fit. She’s been here since the hotel was first built, so her story is intertwined with the harbor itself.”
Relocating a tree of this size and age is no small feat. The team carefully evaluated potential destinations throughout the project, looking for a site where she would not only survive, but also serve as a focal point.
That place revealed itself at the entrance to the new parking structure, at the end of the entry drive. It’s a prominent space that needs something iconic that would make guests pause and know they’ve arrived.
Surrounding her, the team designed a simple, drought-tolerant palette of grasses, decomposed granite, and boulders. The low plantings ensure her twisting form is fully on display, while discreet supports help stabilize her wind-sculpted trunk.
The Art and Science of Relocation
Moving a tree that has lived in one place for more than half a century requires both technical expertise and patience. The process began long before the tree was ever lifted from the ground.
“The contractor provided a program to box the tree and let it harden [process of the tree acclimating to the roots being cut] before the move,” Al explained. “That way, the roots and structure could adjust, and the branches could be supported. We even planned her orientation—how she should face—to ensure her most expressive side greets visitors.”
Specialists monitored every step, from the initial boxing to the final placement. The soil was carefully prepared, supports discreetly set, and irrigation lines adjusted to help her acclimate. And while the work was highly technical, there was also an artistic eye guiding the process. It wasn’t just about keeping her alive—it was about staging her so she could continue to tell her story.
Old Roots Find New Purpose
For those who have visited the Harbor for decades, the Pink Lady carries a deep sense of meaning. We felt a real sense of pride relocating her. Environmental stewardship is central to our work, but this effort was about more than conservation—it was about honoring a piece of living history.
Native to Australia, the Melaleuca nesophila thrives in coastal conditions, and her new perch allows her to stand watch just steps away from the waters she has always echoed in form.
She is also not alone. Other significant trees are being preserved or repurposed as the Harbor evolves. Mature sycamores will be relocated in future phases, while harvested eucalyptus will be transformed into reclaimed wood benches and elements—a way of ensuring the spirit of the original landscape lives on in new ways.
A Guardian of Past and Future
Today, as visitors arrive at Dana Point Harbor, the Pink Lady is one of the first things they see. Her silhouette, bent and shaped by decades of ocean winds, tells a story of resilience, 
adaptation, and quiet beauty. She stands not simply as a transplanted tree, but as a symbol of continuity—bridging the past and the future, rooting the new harbor in its own living history.
The Pink Lady reminds us that landscapes are never static; they grow, change, and endure. By preserving her, we preserve not only a beloved tree, but the memory, meaning, and spirit she carries forward for generations yet to come.
