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Hi I just bought a property on the 10th ave HPP. There are wonderful posts on this website and I really appreciate them, as it is full great information and very helpful. Thank you everyone.
I saw a post earlier that mentioned how to plant trees in this area--land with hard shiny lava rocks. It said build a circle of rocks, fill it with soil to create a planting medium. Any idea how deep/high the circle of rocks need to be --i.e. should it be 2 feet/3 feet deep/high?
Thank you
Kumarsah
Kumarsah
Kumarsah
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When we first bought our property we were eager to start planting as well. A few trees we planted were set into low areas and we built up around. The are growing but not well. The next time we had a backhoe operator with a hammer attachment come and punch large deep holes. The trees we planted in the "good holes" grew faster and are much healthier. It usually more cost effective to punch holes while you have the operator there for clearing or other hard scape work.
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So true Susan. The backhoe jackhammer idea is the way to go. If that's not an option, rocks can be piled in circle and the planting area filled with mulch, cinder and dirt (warning of fire ants if you don't have them already) and voila you have created a space for the roots to fill. The higher the wall in your planting circle, the more root space you have. Also those Paradise park lots aren't always that big so be sure you leave room for growth. So often you hear, "I didn't realize the tree would get that big".
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Thank you, your feedback is extremely helpful. I like the punching hole idea, that is what we will do.
Kumarsah
Kumarsah
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In deciding what method to use you should take into consideration the size of the tree at maturity and what type of root system it has. For example, palms don't have spreading roots and can grow in a smaller hole. But a monkeypod has roots that spread out on the surface. And 'ohia are in trouble if there is ground disturbance within 20 feet of the trunk. So you should learn about the types of trees you want. Usually the spread of the canopy will be equal to the spread of the roots. A tree with a large canopy at maturity will require larger holes - whether natural pukas or created like a raised bed. And small lots with large trees will face problems later on, like branches falling on the roof, took much shade for other landscaping, roots invading water or sewage lines, etc.
So do your research and planning carefully before you buy any trees and avoid costly problems later.
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Oops - typo.
Should read "too much shade". I don't know where that k came from.
Rene
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Is there a difference between the jackhammer method and getting the lot ripped as it pertains to the health of the trees?
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yes. If you just jackhammer the spots you need, you'll have more money to buy healthier trees and fertilizer.
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Excellent advice. The point about size of canopy and roots spread is very helpful. Also, wow, I did not realize the Ohia's 20 feet disturbance radius. I would at all cost want to protect the native species, especially Ohia's -- I love them and I love it's beauty in the Hawaiian landscape and its significance in the native Hawaiian culture. Thank your very much for sharing that.
quote:
Originally posted by Rene Siracusa
In deciding what method to use you should take into consideration the size of the tree at maturity and what type of root system it has. For example, palms don't have spreading roots and can grow in a smaller hole. But a monkeypod has roots that spread out on the surface. And 'ohia are in trouble if there is ground disturbance within 20 feet of the trunk. So you should learn about the types of trees you want. Usually the spread of the canopy will be equal to the spread of the roots. A tree with a large canopy at maturity will require larger holes - whether natural pukas or created like a raised bed. And small lots with large trees will face problems later on, like branches falling on the roof, took much shade for other landscaping, roots invading water or sewage lines, etc.
So do your research and planning carefully before you buy any trees and avoid costly problems later.
Kumarsah
Kumarsah
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Generally: use the smallest machine that will do the job, disturb as little as possible, the land will thank you. Classic example: use a mini excavator instead of ripping with a D-9. Everything kind of depends on what you've got to work with; the D-9 makes quick work of a driveway/housepad, but it's overkill for planting trees...
Explore with an o'o bar, sometimes there are fissures; bigger ones can be filled in with cinder/mulch to make planting beds, smaller ones are a good place for a "surface planting" with rock wall, roots will find their way into the cracks.
Filling in the low spot is a good strategy, but sometimes drainage will be poor; plant something that likes to be wet (banana, heliconia).
Note that when renting the pneumatic jackhammer, Puna Rental will only give you 100' of hose, which may limit your range depending where the driveway is and/or what kind of clear flat areas you can navigate with the compressor.
With an electric jackhammer, two guys can wrangle the generator down to just about wherever it needs to go.
Consider the entire landscape as an interconnected system: when that tree gets big, will the canopy make too much shade for this ornamental shrub, or maybe ideal shade for something else? Landscaping is three-dimensional, there are easily 3-5 strata of canopy, understory, deep shade at the bottom...
