Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
I planted about 70 podocarpus trees on my lot lines about 2 months ago. I bought them for 1 dollar each, bareroot, up in hamakua somewhere. I figured I'd loose 2/3 of them. At this point, most are still appearing alive although I only see new growth starting on a few of them. I go out there about every 2 weeks and clear away the vines, and jungle that is trying to take over again. If even five of them survive on each line, then I will consider this a success because they become enormous trees. I am not sure the planting method really matters for their survival. Most I just stuck in the ground with very little soil, but some I put a small amount of peat moss with them.
Posts: 8,483
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
Just curious... are they on the property line or on your side of the property line. My recommendation would be 4'-6' on your side of the line. They can get pretty wide and if they are on your side they are under your control.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 14,138
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
In some states, trees "on" the property line gain magic legal protection as "boundary trees". Not sure if this is the case here.
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
NOw, I had to laugh. I put the trees inside my boundary lines but not by much. It was a huge stuggle just to clear that much jungle! It will be fine. Most will die anyhow. The lots are 233 feet wide where I am so I think it'll be ok.
Posts: 771
Threads: 37
Joined: Feb 2006
I just love podacarpus but have hard time distinguishing from oleander which I hate because it's so tropical and poisonous.
Bt every time I plant podarcarpus on my property when come back from Oahu it's like I never planted anything it's just dissapeared. So going to plant some more in more open sun and better drainage. But I think might be better to find existing stand of trees and sweep up the dead leaves under the podacarpus. I think the ground cover protect the trees like my other fave tree- Ironwood. So u spred the debris in the middle of the planting plus probably have seeds for more podacarpus. So be dissapointing my new batch of seedlings disappeared too.[?]
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
IF I manage to get these to actually root and grow I'll let everyone know exactly what I did. I have my doubts. Until I see actual new growth that is sustained, I am a skeptic. The trees really dont look too good currently. Given the situation I certainly wouldnt spend more than 1 dollar per tree.
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
I now have one inch of growth on most of the trees. It does not appear that using any kind of peatmoss helps more than just sticking them in the ground without hardly any soil. I did dump some miracle grow extended release granules on them initially also. I'll keep checking on them.
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
They are all mostly still alive. That's about all I can report right now. I would definately not say they are "thriving". They are all about a foot tall. My lot is in Orchidland.
Posts: 2,490
Threads: 222
Joined: Dec 2005
best thing would be to get some good soil a truck dump load and spread it around if you want them to thrive. Otherwise those trees will take a ton of time to establish since they need soil for their roots to take hold. The only tree that doesn't need soil is the Ohia.
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
I'll just keep posting their progress. I have soil on my land. Anywhere from 2-6 inches usually. It is a huge area. Way too cost prohibitive, and labor intensive to try and haul soil around for the trees. I did put a small amount of peet moss initially with half of them, and I think they may be doing slightly better because of this. They were just bare root trees, so I know it'll be hard for them survive, but they'll be awesome if they make it!
