01-16-2017, 07:08 AM
Tangent off Slow Walker's thoughts about mycorrhizal innoculants: From field notes ROD does seem to be a "from the ground up" infection. The low branches regularly seem to get hit first as the pathogen gets drawn up the trunk, suggesting that maybe the beneficial fungal colonies that help process tree nutrients may get hit with the Ceratocystis Fimbriata in advance of the Ohia itself and possibly be a medium for the disease. Could lend more credence to the idea that CF starts as a soil health issue. The potential of Hydrogen (pH) balance is way off and that's a given. Also according to a publication put out by the University of California's Forest Stewardship Series, “….in air polluted areas, unnaturally high levels of nitrogen (NOX, nitrous oxides) in the precipitation may upset the nutrient cycle of the ecosystems on which they fall.” In any event the systemic nature of the problem seems larger than just the trees themselves. We cannot contain the volcanic output or the atmospheric anomalies affecting Hawai'i Island but we can try to counter balance the known issues through soil amendments. This is my entire premise. These additions are eventually what would occur if humans were taken out of the equation because dead forests tend to burn.
In 2015, prior to my soil amendments, we lost about a dozen trees, largely due to taking down nearby ROD kills. The arborists dropped the dead trees into the living forest and the corpses were left there, sawdust went everywhere and we didn't think to paint cut ends of the newly felled tree with sodium borate as per Dr. B's recent suggestion, so the closest trees became ill and died. Mixing ashes with water may be an alternative to s. borate, as it would be a very light caustic lye. However the s. borate is also a preservative and may actually form a thin barrier of minerals that actually block the movement of the pathogen while P. Hydroxide may deter but then disipate. Will try both and let you know.
Since 2016, and treating widely with Ohia wood ash, (literally just scattering it around) we have only had one new case of ROD and it happened directly after this recent, month-plus of drenching acid rain to a young tree that is competing for space with a large palm. I originally thought that the tree got sick because a branch got knocked off by a falling palm frond but that may just be coincidence. Eliminating root competition does seem to help these trees avoid illness, especially eliminating the Koster's Curse (Clidemia hirta, with the berries), with it's garotte like roots that may eventually cut or strangle Ohia roots, (have heard this about Waiwi Guava as well). Careful not to break the Ohia root surface while weeding, especially if using tools, as this also can lead to exposure and illness. I am going to try cleaning tools with light solution of caustic lye (ash mixed with water/Potassium hydroxide). Alcohol is really costly when using every day and I can make the potassium hydroxide solution myself. That being said, I don't have any idea about whether the light caustic lye solution would be detrimental to beneficial fungal colonies if poured directly onto the ground in liquid form. Spreading just ash may be a better idea than drenching roots because it is probably less shockingly corrosive in a trickle down, grass filtered form.
Another side note, we have far fewer coquis and ants in our immediate vicinity this year since spreading ash. Just saying.
In 2015, prior to my soil amendments, we lost about a dozen trees, largely due to taking down nearby ROD kills. The arborists dropped the dead trees into the living forest and the corpses were left there, sawdust went everywhere and we didn't think to paint cut ends of the newly felled tree with sodium borate as per Dr. B's recent suggestion, so the closest trees became ill and died. Mixing ashes with water may be an alternative to s. borate, as it would be a very light caustic lye. However the s. borate is also a preservative and may actually form a thin barrier of minerals that actually block the movement of the pathogen while P. Hydroxide may deter but then disipate. Will try both and let you know.
Since 2016, and treating widely with Ohia wood ash, (literally just scattering it around) we have only had one new case of ROD and it happened directly after this recent, month-plus of drenching acid rain to a young tree that is competing for space with a large palm. I originally thought that the tree got sick because a branch got knocked off by a falling palm frond but that may just be coincidence. Eliminating root competition does seem to help these trees avoid illness, especially eliminating the Koster's Curse (Clidemia hirta, with the berries), with it's garotte like roots that may eventually cut or strangle Ohia roots, (have heard this about Waiwi Guava as well). Careful not to break the Ohia root surface while weeding, especially if using tools, as this also can lead to exposure and illness. I am going to try cleaning tools with light solution of caustic lye (ash mixed with water/Potassium hydroxide). Alcohol is really costly when using every day and I can make the potassium hydroxide solution myself. That being said, I don't have any idea about whether the light caustic lye solution would be detrimental to beneficial fungal colonies if poured directly onto the ground in liquid form. Spreading just ash may be a better idea than drenching roots because it is probably less shockingly corrosive in a trickle down, grass filtered form.
Another side note, we have far fewer coquis and ants in our immediate vicinity this year since spreading ash. Just saying.