07-06-2015, 12:45 PM
Kim, I have been looking at this for months now. Here are some of the trees that I *think* would do well, given where they are endemic to, their ability to live in different areas (e.g., if something grows in the tropics and in California, I would expect it to live in Leilani), their growth habits, etc.
Bauhinia x Blakeana (Hong Kong Orchid tree). This is a sterile hybrid, so any seeds it has will not produce any keikis. I have planted a couple at my place in Upper Leilani, and all seem to be doing well. They grow up a good amount, and the canopy is not too thick.
Schizolobium parahybum - I saw several large ones at a nursery in Kauai, doing quite well. They grow up quite a bit, with very few low branches, so would be a reasonable substitute for Ohia's growth habits.
Colvillea racemosa - the same nursery in Kauai had dozens, and can/will ship to Hilo, provided they can fill a crate. I'd be willing to go in a crate with you. Colvilleas have a shape similar to a Jacaranda, but with clusters of orange flowers. I have one in my yard and it is doing fine.
Michelia champaca - growth habit is very up, not much out. A little thicker of a canopy than the above suggestions, but since they are relatively vertical, it's not that big of a deal.
Enterolobium cyclocarpum - I saw several of these growing quite well at the McBryde Garden on Kauai. I asked the people there how they did in storms, and they indicated that the branches are sufficiently strong such that they don't break in storms. Their shape is somewhat similar to Rain Trees (Samanea saman), but not as low of a "mushroom." The Enterolobiums looked really impressive, and I am on the lookout for some myself.
Hymenosporum flavum - this grows equally well in the Australian rainforest and in San Diego, so I planted a couple in Leilani, and so far so good. The leaves are dense on branches, but the branches are not dense on the tree, so overall the shade is fairly dappled. Most of mine are quite upright, especially if there is nearby competition for light.
Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut) - this is the one I am most excited about. These have nice glossy leaves, brilliant red/orange flowers that bloom straight off the trunk, and grow equally well in the Australian tropics and San Diego. They are very upright, and easy grows. I am on the lookout for a source.
Parkia timoriana - very similar to the Enterolobiums above. These trees do get massive, however - the specimens at McBryde are incredible.
Caesalpinia ferrea - a bit smaller mimosa-leaved tree, with a striking trunk similar to a Rainbow gum. I have one on the mainland, and saw a big specimen in Kauai.
My plan is to get some of each of these - assuming I can source them - and spread them about my lots so that I have something approaching a "natural" look when everything is said and done. In the meantime, I've also planted quite a few baby Ohia trees and hoped for the best.
Bauhinia x Blakeana (Hong Kong Orchid tree). This is a sterile hybrid, so any seeds it has will not produce any keikis. I have planted a couple at my place in Upper Leilani, and all seem to be doing well. They grow up a good amount, and the canopy is not too thick.
Schizolobium parahybum - I saw several large ones at a nursery in Kauai, doing quite well. They grow up quite a bit, with very few low branches, so would be a reasonable substitute for Ohia's growth habits.
Colvillea racemosa - the same nursery in Kauai had dozens, and can/will ship to Hilo, provided they can fill a crate. I'd be willing to go in a crate with you. Colvilleas have a shape similar to a Jacaranda, but with clusters of orange flowers. I have one in my yard and it is doing fine.
Michelia champaca - growth habit is very up, not much out. A little thicker of a canopy than the above suggestions, but since they are relatively vertical, it's not that big of a deal.
Enterolobium cyclocarpum - I saw several of these growing quite well at the McBryde Garden on Kauai. I asked the people there how they did in storms, and they indicated that the branches are sufficiently strong such that they don't break in storms. Their shape is somewhat similar to Rain Trees (Samanea saman), but not as low of a "mushroom." The Enterolobiums looked really impressive, and I am on the lookout for some myself.
Hymenosporum flavum - this grows equally well in the Australian rainforest and in San Diego, so I planted a couple in Leilani, and so far so good. The leaves are dense on branches, but the branches are not dense on the tree, so overall the shade is fairly dappled. Most of mine are quite upright, especially if there is nearby competition for light.
Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut) - this is the one I am most excited about. These have nice glossy leaves, brilliant red/orange flowers that bloom straight off the trunk, and grow equally well in the Australian tropics and San Diego. They are very upright, and easy grows. I am on the lookout for a source.
Parkia timoriana - very similar to the Enterolobiums above. These trees do get massive, however - the specimens at McBryde are incredible.
Caesalpinia ferrea - a bit smaller mimosa-leaved tree, with a striking trunk similar to a Rainbow gum. I have one on the mainland, and saw a big specimen in Kauai.
My plan is to get some of each of these - assuming I can source them - and spread them about my lots so that I have something approaching a "natural" look when everything is said and done. In the meantime, I've also planted quite a few baby Ohia trees and hoped for the best.
Leilani Estates, 2011 to Present