Trees to replace ohia

[Justin]

Apparently the fungus is causing problems for only Ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha), not other members of the Metrosideros genus. We saw Metrosideros collina all over the Marquesas, where it is endemic, and it - not surprisingly - looks very similar to Ohi'a, but with the leaves having more of a pointed tip than a rounded edge. The flower is also a little more of an orange hue than a deep red. But I think it would be worthwhile in the long term to plant a number of these, as well as a number of Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas tree), in the hopes that the forest would look very similar to how it does now, plus we might benefit from inter-generic hybrids that would hopefully have some increased tolerance to the fungus.

I can't find a source for any of the other Metrosideros, unfortunately. So on my yard I've planted a bunch of Tetraplasandra, Koa, and other trees. Probably 50-70% of my Ohi'a are still doing okay, however.