05-31-2007, 09:52 AM
There are several hapu'u (Cibotium gen.), as well as 'ama'u (Sadleria gen.), species on the BI. All are native tree ferns. Hapu'u pulu is probably the most common and may be the species in your yard, Daniel. There is also the introduced Australian Rough Tree Fern, Sphaeropteris cooperi, aka Cyathea australis, which has been planted as an ornamental. These are apparently ignored by feral pigs and can replace hapu'u by its faster growth. I haven't a clue why anyone would think to plant these on this Island.
One problem for hapu'u is the feral pig, which loves to eat the exposed core of a fern. The reason I point this out is that you can transplant tree ferns by cutting them at the base and laying them down where you want them. You should do this only while new fiddleheads are NOT starting to extend. Trim any fronds that could break off and damage the fern during moving, leave about 2' of the stipe (bare branch part) for gripping, and lay it down in the new location; that's what tree ferns do in forests, except they don't self-trim their branches and move themselves somewhere else. It's neat when they also serve as a nursery log for other plants.
So, there is a danger from feral pigs getting to the fern core when it's exposed. Some people will burn the exposed end of the trunk to seal it, or make it less attractive to pigs. An alternative to this is to dig a hole (if you have suffient dirt depth), place the fern in it, and pack soil around the base for support.
Edited by - Les C on 05/31/2007 13:57:47
One problem for hapu'u is the feral pig, which loves to eat the exposed core of a fern. The reason I point this out is that you can transplant tree ferns by cutting them at the base and laying them down where you want them. You should do this only while new fiddleheads are NOT starting to extend. Trim any fronds that could break off and damage the fern during moving, leave about 2' of the stipe (bare branch part) for gripping, and lay it down in the new location; that's what tree ferns do in forests, except they don't self-trim their branches and move themselves somewhere else. It's neat when they also serve as a nursery log for other plants.
So, there is a danger from feral pigs getting to the fern core when it's exposed. Some people will burn the exposed end of the trunk to seal it, or make it less attractive to pigs. An alternative to this is to dig a hole (if you have suffient dirt depth), place the fern in it, and pack soil around the base for support.
Edited by - Les C on 05/31/2007 13:57:47