Cutting down of albizia tree

[Mitzi M]

I wholeheartedly support the whacking of albizias wherever you can...but one really important thing to remember is that they frequently re-sprout when you cut them, and can even grow from the fallen logs. Although I'm not generally into using chemicals - there is a good herbicide I've recently become acquainted with that I think no weed-tree warrior in Puna should be without. It's called Garlon - there are 2 kinds I know of you can use: Garlon 3 and 4. One is water based and the other is based in horticultural oil. It's the same chemical, but the application methods are a little different. Basically you make small cuts in the bark (or drill holes for larger trees)into the soft wood and then apply a small amount of Garlon into the wound with a small tipped squeeze bottle, avoiding spilling it onto other plants. If you actually whack off the whole tree, you can paint the stump - but this needs to be done right away, as the sap can recede and wound callous over within minutes. If you try this with larger trees, make sure that they are well away from anything you like. I have heard that if you girdle or poison a tree, tree trimmers will refuse to cut it down afterward - which makes a lot of sense because then you never know how stable the branches might be. Supposedly, Garlon has the same toxicity to humans as aspirin. If it gets into your eyes it can either just sting like the devil or... cause irreversible blindness depending on the kind you use (3 or 4) so wear glasses and gloves. I think it degrades pretty quickly and won't be toxic in surrounding soils or water.
People who have lots of experience with it have told me it kills weed trees or prevents re-sprouting dependably and, if used correctly, leaves surrounding vegetation unharmed.

Aloha,
Mitzi

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