02-22-2010, 10:44 AM
Skies,
We had an initial clearing of only the area needed to build our house and greenhouse. We had nothing but invasive species in those areas, so nothing to protect. Since then, we've been hand-clearing (chainsaw, chipper, lots of sweat), and found small ohia and a very few other treasures amongst the guava and paperbarks. The mulch (wealth!) from the chipping gets used on the Vireya nursery display beds, and we give what can't be chipped away to neighbors. While its taken years, it gives you time to gain control of an area of your property and incorporate its upkeep into your work patterns. If you clear it all at once, you risk it getting away from you really quick!
damage to trees -- mainly, the ohias are stressed by things going over their root areas. I would recommend not using any heavy equipment around them if you want to preserve them. Also, when you use heavy equipment, you end up with slash piles that take years to decompose, especially guava.
When we cut a tree or bush, we treat the cut stems/trunks with Remedy to keep them from re-growing. Sometimes that means going back and spraying a second or third time to really get it killed. Vigilance R Us... If you don't have lots to deal with, some folks paint it on at full strength.
Anyway, while the big cats are quicker, more damage is done, and you might miss those gems or kill the Ohias that you want to preserve. Mulch is good, especially stuff you create yourself.
My $.02 worth...
Jane
We had an initial clearing of only the area needed to build our house and greenhouse. We had nothing but invasive species in those areas, so nothing to protect. Since then, we've been hand-clearing (chainsaw, chipper, lots of sweat), and found small ohia and a very few other treasures amongst the guava and paperbarks. The mulch (wealth!) from the chipping gets used on the Vireya nursery display beds, and we give what can't be chipped away to neighbors. While its taken years, it gives you time to gain control of an area of your property and incorporate its upkeep into your work patterns. If you clear it all at once, you risk it getting away from you really quick!
damage to trees -- mainly, the ohias are stressed by things going over their root areas. I would recommend not using any heavy equipment around them if you want to preserve them. Also, when you use heavy equipment, you end up with slash piles that take years to decompose, especially guava.
When we cut a tree or bush, we treat the cut stems/trunks with Remedy to keep them from re-growing. Sometimes that means going back and spraying a second or third time to really get it killed. Vigilance R Us... If you don't have lots to deal with, some folks paint it on at full strength.
Anyway, while the big cats are quicker, more damage is done, and you might miss those gems or kill the Ohias that you want to preserve. Mulch is good, especially stuff you create yourself.
My $.02 worth...
Jane