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We have an Ohia tree in our circular drive. It is dying. It has lilikoi growing on it. could this be part of the problem.
Wyatt
“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have
And step into the darkness of the unknown
Believe that one of the two will happen to you
Either you'll find something solid to stand on
Or you'll be taught how to fly!”
Richard Bach
"Yearn to understand first and to be understood second."
-- Beca Lewis Allen
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I have heard that the ohia's root system is very shallow and delicate. Hope you haven't fatally disturbed them!
Posts: 551
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Joined: Oct 2004
We have not disturbed the roots. The driveway is right next to it. Is it possible car traffic can effect the roots.
Wyatt
“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have
And step into the darkness of the unknown
Believe that one of the two will happen to you
Either you'll find something solid to stand on
Or you'll be taught how to fly!”
Richard Bach
"Yearn to understand first and to be understood second."
-- Beca Lewis Allen
Posts: 262
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Joined: May 2006
Hi Wyatt,
I've noticed a few ohia dying around, perhaps because of drought. A neighbor's ohia recently died where the ground was disturbed last year and another nearby is on the way out from an area disturbed maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Sometimes they live a while even after their roots are damaged but I guess drought can send them over the edge. Did your ohia put out aerial roots? They are those big hanging bundles of stick like roots, sometimes bright red, that hang from the branches and trunk. If so, these are a sure sign that the tree's roots have been disturbed.
Now I know this is sometimes hard to do, especially if you have a smaller piece of land, but it's best to give each tree you want to keep on your property at least 15' of undisturbed space. For anyone who is about to bulldoze a pad etc., I'd recommend putting up stakes with a tape line around (and being there when the dozer is working). Once you notice ohias declining I'm not sure you'll get them back, but I have heard a couple success stories where people heaped mulch on the roots and gave them a little more water. If there's still life in the tree, it might be worth it to try a little superthrive or other vitamin B solution but I wouldn't fertilize. I've seen healthy young planted ohias that grew lush and fast with some fertilizing, but with a wild tree I'd be cautious. If it's sick it probably won't be able to use it anyway. Also, sometimes ohias self-prune and only a part of the tree dies - so maybe there's hope!
Aloha,
Mitzi
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
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I'm no expert, but I think Mitzi's on the right track. We had our driveway and house area bulldozed three years ago (taking a path that minimized tree loss) and within a year a few ohias on the edges of the bulldozed area started to die. That includes one about six feet from the area cleared and ripped, which suggests the trees do need some root area, especially if the lava in your area is pahoehoe which forces roots to radiate out.
