Last week, the subject of this column was about connecting with nature by meditating in your garden or in a forest.
Several readers responded in appreciation and mentioned they viewed their garden anew. In conjunction with the article, a number of calls came in with sad news that the big tamarind tree on the Ka‘u mauka corner of Hualalai and Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona was just cut down. This tree was well more than 100 years old.
During a recent conversation with Hannah Springer, Hawaiian kamaaina, the subject of that tree came up. She said it was the site of their family home long ago and that the tree was planted by Springer/Aiu ancestors. That tree had plenty mana. Auwe!
So in order to further emphasize the importance of trees, let us try not only to connect with a tree as suggested last week, let’s try to be a tree.
It takes imagination, but empathize with the Hawaiian family that planted that tree for shade and sustenance so long ago. In those days, Kailua village was hot and dry, but many trees were planted to make it more comfortable for it was the summer home of King Kamehameha’s family, other alii and commoners. Groves of breadfruit, mountain apple, kukui, and coconut graced the up slopes of Hualalai.
Sadly, much of that was destroyed by Madame Pele in the early 1800s. The favored fishponds near the Kohala side of the village as well as the extensive groves of breadfruit were taken by lava flows. The people knew this could happen, but after lava flowed to cover forests and fishponds, they again planted trees to give life back to the land.
Fortunately, Kailua village and its trees were spared and more trees planted.
Today the raw lava lands such as Ka‘upulehu makai have become lush again with Kohanaiki, Hualalai and Kukio resorts urban reforestation efforts. Farmers have planted coffee, macadamia and avocado up mauka.
At the same time, we need to protect the trees of Kona and other districts, especially those planted by the Hawaiian ancestors and others who followed their planting tradition from ancient times.
Many folks today know that to make our island comfortable and give sustenance, we must plant and nurture old and new trees alike.
Now, if you have imagined yourself a tree, think about how it feels to be pruned. Simultaneously, think about when you were human and needed a haircut, food and water.
The barber was not supposed to cut off your head, just trim your hair. The same is true for pruning a tree. It should be done with care, respect, good training, education and a good attitude by the person doing the job.
Pruning is important as is proper irrigation and fertilization.
By proper pruning, you also increase light availability to understory plants. Since some light is essential to plant vigor, it is a good idea to open up those heavy canopied trees.
Even if you were careful to select the right trees for your yard, and shade lovers for underneath, there comes a time when you have to consider pruning.
Whatever the natural form is in the beginning, it should be maintained, and this means individual handling of each problem. Trees should be pruned in such a manner as to remove enough of the canopy to allow the sometimes gale force winds of winter through the tree.
Most tree experts agree that heavily topped, or hatracked, trees will be more susceptible to damage from disease and insect attacks in the long run. This practice is not recommended.
When it comes to palms, excessive removal of leaves is also a bad practice. Large fruited types such as the coconut might have fruit and inflorescences removed. Removing too many leaves will actually weaken the tree and cause a condition called pencil top. Several disease problems also can be made worse by excessive pruning.
In locations where rainfall is deficient, watch out for stress because of lack of water. This can be seen in many landscapes of lower Kona, Kohala, Waimea and Ka‘u.
Some knowledge of pruning is necessary for the gardener who does his own work. A good set of pruning tools is necessary, including a pair of side-cutters for removing twigs and small branches. You will also need a pair of loppers for cutting branches up to three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and a pruning saw.
Pruning should be done for a purpose, to maintain shape, remove diseased or awkward branches, or to reduce the size of a vigorous grower, such as a rubber tree.
Pruning becomes an important chore for several reasons. Trees that respond to day length and bloom during the winter or spring months should be pruned through the summer months.
Occasionally, winter can be wet or windy, especially if we get one of those nasty storms. Trees likely to be damaged during periods of high winds should be pruned to decrease damage caused by the storms.
Of course, weak and diseased branches and twigs should be removed at any time noted. Citrus trees can be gone over lightly two or three times a year. Such pruning is done from the inside. Dead wood and water shoots, or suckers, should be removed as they appear. When a weak or unwanted branch is removed, it discourages disease and insect damage.
Pruning trees can be dangerous, so if the job is major, it is better to call in a qualified arborist. You wouldn’t want just anyone to cut your hair or remove an appendix. This also will aid you in avoiding a butcher job that will cost a lot more in the long run.
When it comes to fertilization, it is better to keep it on the light side until spring. Then, an application of a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus trace elements will carry trees until spring.
Trees are part of the beauty of our islands. Rather than destroying these valuable assets, work with them. Proper selection of plants to grow under their protective canopy is important. Proper pruning, fertilization and irrigation are a must.
Here is one last thought on being a tree.
Hannah mentioned she heard a story about an ancient breadfruit tree that had to be cut down years ago. The community actually had a funeral for it.
Now that is what is meant by being so connected to nature you are the tree and ultimately the forest!
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For further information about gardening and landscaping, contact one of our master gardeners at 322-4892 in Kona or 981-5199 in Hilo.
