Ohia replacement suggestions

[Rene Siracusa]

Yes, there is a variety of koa that does well at the lower elevations. It is called koa'ia. Check with DLNR Forestry Dept. in Hilo. They have a tree nursery and a program where you can buy tree seedlings very cheaply.

[robguz]

My koa is very happy in Seaview at 150' elevation as is the one at my neighbors 2 doors up. Just regular old koa sold at Paradise Plants now going on 7 years old.

[Justin]

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.

[rainyjim]

>.< please don't plant random trees that 'look pretty'

Invasive species are a huge problem in Hawai'i

Help be a part of the solution, not the problem!

Remember why we are talking about this issue in the first place? An invasive species killed all your ohia!

Its not only the tree itself you have to consider... Does it act as a host for a virus, fungi, etc that while benign in this host could be transmitted to a native and cause massive problems - hmm sounding familiar yet?

Could it attract or harbor insects?

Nature is complicated!

I highly suggest planting natives : ). They may not be as 'showy' or 'flashy' but sometimes become an acquired taste! Aesthetics of landscapes is highly relative, but we only have 1 Hawai'i and the unique eco-systems here are a major part of what makes Hawai'i so desirable, important and loved. Please consider this and look at the long term impacts of your actions before you make any decisions!

[Justin]

Jim, I agree with your sentiment, which is why my above list includes only plants that I have personally seen growing in Hawaii, none of which have I seen growing outside of where they were planted - i.e., they haven't spread like Albizias, African Tulip Trees, Miconias, etc.

[1voyager1]

A while back, a couple of months or so ago, I attended the talk given at the L.E. Community Center about the ohia sudden wilt.
If memory serves me correctly, the talk was given by Dr. J. B. Friday. Who ever it was, he is one of the people with the state forestry that is studying the problem. His recommendation for trees to replace the dieing ohias was 'ohe mauka, Polyscias [Tetraplasandra] oahuensis. He strongly recommended against koa because the altitude in L.E. is too low and they do not do very well, something about something attacking their roots [a fungus?]. He recommended against Polyscias [Tetraplasandra] sandwicensis - 'ohe makai because the altitude was too high. L.E.'s wet climate may have been part of his reasoning for the recommendation.
He said that his recommendation was based on the fact that like the ohia the ohe makai is a canopy tree, and it is adapted to the elevation found in L.E. He did not offer a recommendation for any other type of tree to replace the dieing ohias. In fact, he seemed reluctant to make any other recommendation. He was adamantly against any non native trees being used.

[Justin]

I was at that same meeting at the community center. He also recommended Kukui Nut, although hesitantly, since it isn't native. Given his position, however, he can't realistically be recommending anything, because if someone in a position of authority recommends something that gets out of hand, there will be a lawsuit.

[EightFingers]

That's interesting about the Koa, it goes against everything I heard about it in the last ten years. I keep learning more and more.

[rainyjim]

Great information 1voyager1 - thank you!

[KiminPL]

quote:

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Originally posted by rainyjim

Try planting:

- Perrottetia sandwicensis -- so rare I cannot find a photo
- Myoporum sandwicense -- more of a shrub than a tree
- Cordia subcordata -- nice tree, but recommended for dry areas
- Pandanus tectorius -- no overhead canopy
- Acacia koa -- interesting
- Artocarpus altilis -- nice leaves and shape, but will this drop fruit?

These are all native or canoe plants. Please consider the benefits to planting these over your run of the mill ornamentals.

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Thanks for the list of suggestions. It's not so easy to find the right tree for the right place, and I do believe in being particular about what is planted. Are you growing these trees on your property now? Real life experiences are most appreciated, so please comment on how these are performing for you. Maybe the info I read is not accurate?

Edit: Thanks for the link to Tetraplassandra -- it looks to be a perfect background canopy tree, and native too, yay.