Ohia Ash shown to Improve Ohia Health

[kalakoa]

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/loca...state-tree

"We're not honoring the value of these trees as much as we probably could," Riviere said.

[ohiagrrl]

Mahalo Kalakoa

My father sent me this article as well.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-ne...e/70000748

A message to all students. If you disagree with your teachers or can't find teachers that align with your values, become the teacher you seek.

[kalakoa]

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/loca...dly-fungus

Up to 47000 acres; State obviously "needs more funding" to "study" the virus, but somehow nobody is talking "reforestation" yet (still).

[ohiagrrl]

Kalakoa, thanks....on point! In this article JBF states that it is the wind that is the primary mover of the fungal pathogen Ceratocystic Fimbriata and that the trail of Ohia death has moved from Puna, down to Ka'u and then up the Kona coast, just like the vog....(so stop blaming yourselves)! If that is true, then the blight will move right up the island chain just like the vog. But really, there are many factors in how this blight spreads. I noticed that in both this winter and last, we had a long period of rain followed by a dry spell and both times I noticed new infections moving through the forest. I am hazarding a guess that it is seasonal as well. U of H researchers aren't wrong in wanting to study any one aspect but there are many different aspects to how this disease moves, one could study them into infinity and time is not on our side. We need to be providing broad stroke solutions right now as well as studying the anatomy of the blight.

Field notes from yesterday: High winds. Spent the day in the forest with trees dueling like wooden swords. (I know, Darwin awards nominee.) I imagine some damage to bark occurred, was picking up branches all day. Spotted another patch of brown leaves deep inside a thick copse and went after it. Found a bug hotel lying on the ground right next to the newly sick tree. A young Ohia that had fallen maybe a year ago. Dragged it out of forest and cut it up into one foot chunks straight into garbage bag with a hand saw so no sawdust spray. Sprayed whole cutting area down with light KOH spray after and weeded and spread ash in forest. Sealed bag until winds die down and safe to burn. We need rain or the ash will remain inert (will not activate) in the soil. Uggh.

So there were shiny little black beetles living in a colony on the surface of the rotten parts of the log. I don't know if these were Ambrosias or some post mortem clean up bug but it felt good to squish them either way. Die buggies, die!

From the West Hawaii Today news article Kalakoa sent, we see there is a symposium (meeting) about Rapid Ohia Death at U of H Hilo on March 18th.

[Jimbo2017]

quote:

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Originally posted by ohiagrrl

Kalakoa, thanks....on point! In this article JBF states that it is the wind that is the primary mover of the fungal pathogen Ceratocystic Fimbriata and that the trail of Ohia death has moved from Puna, down to Ka'u and then up the Kona coast, just like the vog....(so stop blaming yourselves)! If that is true, then the blight will move right up the island chain just like the vog.
From the West Hawaii Today news article Kalakoa sent, we see there is a symposium (meeting) about Rapid Ohia Death at U of H Hilo on March 18th.

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With the lack of rain, and a fungus that blocks transport vessels in the tree, is it not likely to see vast amounts of trees succumb this week or next week? That would be enough time for the leaves to die and turn brown.
Millions of trees probably have the disease, but don't die until there is not enough water to keep the vessels flowing, right?

Mauka Hilo-side

[ohiagrrl]

Hmmmm an excellent point JB the younger.... it is interesting that the die off in my area (this year and last) have happened right after weeks on end of rain; trees being glutted with water and then immediately into a mini drought. The pathogen may explode within the trees during dark wet times (beetle reproductive cycles?) and then kill the trees when the hydration "transport vessels" choke up. Thank you for your input (and language) JB.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

ohiagrrl,
I'm sorry if this article was referenced earlier, but if not you may find it of interest. It concerns the reforestation of sandalwood trees, and the involvement of Kamehameha Schools in maintaining the Big Island's forests. The university, state and county are not the only agencies that study our trees and forests:

Today, invasive species and climate change continue to threaten what remains.
Kamehameha Schools, which owns what’s thought to be the largest sandalwood forest on the leeward side of Mauna Loa, has seen the effects of both.
...
Mark Hanson, who runs the Hawaiian Reforestation Program, said his organization has planted thousands of trees around Mauna Kea.

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...ct-numbers

You could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven.

[ohiagrrl]

No apologies needed HOTPE! Yes that's one of the 3 blonde Marks from Maku'u that vends on the outside edge in their own tents (or used to, haven't been by much since getting a stomach bug.) I believe it was Kalakoa that brought up the issue of reforestation a few times and I mentioned Mark's Bill to reforest with Sandalwood, he's been trying for years to get passed. State legislature thus far won't support. But thanks for reminding me to go purchase some seedlings from him. Mmmmm! Sandalwood...so fragrant. Have just the spot for it after beating back lolo invasives.

Mark is truly a man immersed in his kuleana.

[Chas]

Off topic I know, but will sandalwood grow near the ocean in HPP?

[ohiagrrl]

Hi Chas, I don't think this is off topic since reforestation is being explored as remediation for potential total Ohia destruction. The Hawaii Tribune article says that the largest remaining stand of Sandalwood is at 5,000 ft but they were denuded from the rest of the island and logic would dictate they would have been cleared from lower ground first. I have seen a few Sandalwood propagated on farms between 1000 and 2000 feet sea level around where you might see Eucalyptus up in Pauillo (North) where the soils are deeper than in most of Puna. But the man who would definitely have the answers is Mark Hanson who may still sell seedlings at Maku'u Market on Sundays so see if you can check him out, he loves to talk shop. Otherwise, contact Irene at the DLNR, she seems to return phone calls and be happy to answer any forestry questions: (808)587-4167 irene.m.sprecher@hawaii.gov

Chas, If you do find out more, or end up conducting an experiment, please let us know. Mahalo nui