Strawberry Guava

[Rob Tucker]

Yes, Biochar sounds simply wonderful. Unfortunately it will not be possible to harvest the massive invasion of guava from the virgin forest lands that are left without causing even further damage. No way to go in, cut, chop, root and haul without serious impact. Harvesting guava for biochar would be a lot like the sugarcane industry. Lots of low paying, dangerous and dirty work.

The opportunity to slow the advance of guava for the moment has been lost. I hope the proposed biocontrol or something like it can be employed soon. The Ohia are dying.

[PaulW]

So the latest research hasn't made it to the web yet, but it has been printed somewhere. I see.

Does biochar sell for enough per ton to cover the expenses of cutting, hauling and burning guava?
If there's a cheaper alternative, it won't happen.

[JWFITZ]

Virgin forest lands do NOT have a massive invasion of guava. Disturbed or second growth forests do. These are indeed accessible. Which is why they were disturbed in the first place.

Actually, it's been my experience that the native forest outside of road access areas is in quite fine shape. You won't find much to any of guava or invasives in places where tire traffic doesn't exist. Again, the plant needs disturbed soil and light to germinate, and it has little chance to compete with a healthy forest habitat, and really, it doesn't. I think we can be confident in that. In less disturbed areas, you may find 5 or 6 mature guava trees per acre(6 to 9 inches at the butt) but not the out of control suckers you see along road cuts and in disturbed or destroyed properties.

At this moment biochar sells for the same money as any conventional charcoal. It works for Kingsford, and it would work for anyone else. Seventy cents a pound or so, plus or minus, depending on quality.

I agree the work would be dirty and a bummer but it beats the hell out of working for walmart or unemployment.

[PaulW]

The pigs help spread it to native forests.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/psca1.htm
HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES
Strawberry guava exhibits broad environmental tolerances, occurring in dry to moist forests, and in tropical and subtropical climates. It occurs in disturbed areas and along roadsides and may invade undisturbed, intact forests. On the Hawaiian islands, strawberry guava infests moist, lowland and submontane forests, usually dominated by ‘ohi'a trees (Metrosideros polymorpha). In Hawaii, this species is often found in sites disturbed by feral pigs.

[JWFITZ]

True, but there are few pigs in native forest, as there's very little forage for them there. Pigs will be found primarily, again, in disturbed areas where they have something to eat. Ohia leaf litter is poor "eats."

[PaulW]

That may be your personal experience, but the experts see it differently:

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/ipif/s...ests.shtml

In Hawaii, invasive species are transforming native landscapes and erasing millions of years of natural history. To date, invasives have taken over more than half of Hawaii, affecting hundreds of animal and plant species. Already, Hawaii has lost more than half of its native birds; of those that remain, another half are endangered, meaning they are seriously at risk of being lost forever. Strawberry guava, an invasive tree, directly threatens about a quarter of the state's endangered plants and has the potential to overrun and degrade hundreds of thousands of acres of remaining native forests.

[JWFITZ]

I agree, cats are the number one invasive on the island. Let's introduce rabies, as it will only affect cats, dogs, pigs, and mongoose.

Experts you quote may disagree. Other experts may not. Some with personal experience may have more expertise than those who don't have personal expertise but have a forum to pontificate. We form our ideas perhaps not from which we are told but from that we've researched and we personally know. Or at least should.

[Kelena]

All invasives must go.

[JWFITZ]

LOL.

I'll pledge to get on the plane to leave with you.

Sorry, misspoke. Cats are the #2 invasive pest on island.

[Wao nahele kane]

Let's assume a biological control is introduced and it does slow the advance of the S. Guava. This does not remove the fact that there is advance. So in the meanwhile when everyone is bickering over biocontrol at the government level; why the heck arent they making efforts to get going at the inevitable hand removal?
The labor force is already sitting in the local prisons and jails. Also all those people who cannot afford to pay the fines for the DUI/Misdemeanor/Infraction they commited could avoid jail by working to remove S. Guava instead. It would appear to me that we have another case of not using existing resources to manage an issue.


E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.