DESERT AMBIENCE: PRICELESS JOSHUA: MANY HAPPY NO REQUIREMENT FOR DELIVERY OF TREES.

Byline: PATRICK ST. MICHEL Special to the Daily News

LAKE LOS ANGELES -- John Lo Re and wife Nita Zerlin felt their home lacked Antelope Valley authenticity until the addition of several mature Joshua trees.

Lo Re's desert dreams became a reality thanks to a program -- operated by the City of Palmdale in conjunction with Forecast Homes -- through which area residents can receive free Joshua trees.

``It makes us feel like we are living in the desert,'' the former New York resident said. ``It didn't feel like it before, but now that a Joshua tree stands at the front of our house, it does.''

Forecast Homes, a builder with housing developments throughout the Antelope Valley, supplies the city with trees that have been removed to make way for new dwellings.

People can get trees by simply logging on to the city's Web site and submitting a request.

Antelope Valley's characteristic vegetation, Joshua trees are a member of the agave family and can grow more than 30 feet tall and live hundreds of years, according to local wildflower expert and author Milt Stark. They grow from the Antelope Valley into Arizona, Nevada and Utah, though Stark says it is only a myth that they also live in Israel.

Palmdale Senior Engineering Landscape Technician Connie Brown said she is impressed by the interest residents have shown in the program.

``We get so many site hits,'' she said. ``I'm amazed at how many people want trees.''

In fact, Brown says more than 340 requests have been made since the program's inception earlier this year. Although there currently is a waiting list, those requesting Joshuas needn't meet any particular requirements.

``I take whoever asks for a tree from the Web site,'' Brown said.

Efforts are even made to accommodate unusual inquiries. One person asked for a small Joshua tree that could be shipped to another state. Others have made forest-size requests.

``One man got 40 trees,'' Brown said. ``He was a very happy camper.''

As for Lo Re, he only needed seven trees to be happy.

``It has made a tremendous difference in the way we feel about the property,'' he said. ``They green up the property.''

The happy homeowner has also observed an increase in wildlife.

``We have noticed since the transplant that we have gotten more critters than ever before,'' Lo Re said. ``The animals like the trees.''

Brown said Lo Re isn't the only satisfied Joshua recipient, and described the program as long-term.

``To my knowledge, the program won't stop until my boss says no,'' she said. ``We want these trees out in the community, where they belong.''

Since the initial delivery of trees, Lo Re has concluded the more Joshuas the merrier.

``We put ourselves on the waiting list again,'' he said. ``These trees are a real treasure.'

For more information or to request a Joshua tree, visit the City of Palmdale's Web site at www.cityofpalmdale.org.

CAPTION(S):

Photo:

(1 -- color) John Lo Re and his wife Nita Zerlin admire the n ew Joshua trees in their backyard on Wednesday. The couple received the Joshua trees through a Palmdale program supplying residents with free surplus trees.

(2 -- color) Numbering seven now, more Joshua trees may be joining this residence soon -- owners John and Nita have already ordered more.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer