SO2 good for ohia with ROD?

[ElysianWort]

Okay perhaps this is a far fetched theory but it appears to me that a lot of ohia, even those already affected with ROD, are making a comeback.
While other plants nearby the emissions are dropping leaves and turning yellow and dying, the ohia seem to be thriving and doing better. Mine here, 17 miles away, are in full bloom and gorgeous here in HA.
Maybe because the ohia tree has some evolution going here with the lava, being endemic to these islands?
Point being: the SO2, being comprised of oxygen and sulfur, might be killing off the rod? Sulfur is a known fungicide.

[Punatic007]

I'm glad to have this discussion! Down here on the lower Puna coast our trees have been covered the past few years with all sorts of moss and fungus, and who knows what, even on top of each other. The fumes were strong enough to make green leaves drop like rain during the first 3 weeks of eruption, very surreal to watch out the window with air purifier on high. Thankfully the fumes have waned and the trees are sprouting healthy new leaves and most of the moss and fungus is GONE from the trunks and branches. Strangely enough the crab grass has taken quite the hit while the centipede grass is flourishing, a gardeners dream. Not counting my chickens, still on guard with the fumes, there are still bad days. Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies and this is one of the things that keeps me going.

edit to add: i'm referring to all trees not just ohia

[Pilgrim]

I wondered about that too. Here's a crazy fact for you. The 'ohias, like some other native plants, have a way to "hold their breath" when the air is bad. They can actually close their stomata so as to keep the bad air out and then when the air improves they will open them again and breathe. I think I read that they can hold their breath for up to 3 or 4 months at a time. Hope they don't need to hold their breath that long this time!

[ElysianWort]

Yup read that too, Ohia's very cool ability to breathe selectively.

Right here: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2015/11/1...-in-peril/

[pbmaise]

Up on Kilauea Iki caldera there are ohia trees which survived very close to a most active eruption. I just thought it was incredible and had no idea that they had a defense mechanism.

Former Puna Beach Resident
Now sailing in SE Asia
HOT BuOYS Sailing

[Mikites]

I have had these thoughts exactly!! I had noticed that areas with frequent vog seemed to have healthier ohia prior to this event. Let’s hope it’s true silver linings are real

[1voyager1]

Little doubt that the Ohia trees have developed a survival relationship with volcanic conditions.
It's not likely they would be as numerous as they are without having done so.
It is also possible that SO2 and other evolved gasses might have a harmful effect on the ROD agent.
But, I find it hard to believe that exposure to volcanic gasses are not at least mildly stressing the trees.
One stress vector on top of another can't be good for them.

With that said, I've noted that then Ohias on our property have not seemed to be affected by ROD yet.
And the 4, 5, or more bad SO2 days didn't affect them at all as far as I could see.
Many have been dying, but much more slowly than they would have from ROD.
It looks to be a natural succession of the trees.
I'll get another look at them when County lets us back in.

[ElysianWort]

I'm noticing many ohia, here in Hawaiian Acres, affected with ROD, after they have dropped all their leaves, and appearing dead, bursting with new growth from the bottom.

[ElysianWort]

Haven't seen anything yet to confirm my suspicion of SO2 helping ohia with ROD.

However my idea seems to be on the right track here:

This morning 8/3/'18, I did see on TV news that the lava flow in Leilani has helped, and continues to help our precious ohia.

http://www.kitv.com/story/38802968/leila...th-disease

[leilanidude]

On the topic of mold and fungus - I have noticed (and was very surprised) to see that no mold is inside of my closed up house, not too far from Fissure 8. I assume the SO2 kills it.