On the mainland, Arbor Day is in the spring, but in Hawaii it can be all year around. This weekend, Friday through today, officially marks our Arbor Day with all kinds of tree giveaways and plant sales around the islands.
With many locations on each island, you can find one that suits you by doing a quick computer search for time and date for one near you. Just look for Hawaii Arbor Day 2016. Many native trees like kamani, manele, halapepe, kou and hibiscus are available. They are giving away non-native trees, as well. Many trees will be Hawaiian plants introduced by the early Polynesians referred to as “canoe” plants like the kukui, noni and mountain apple. Also, the Hawaii Department of Forestry in Waimea distributes plants for a nominal fee throughout the year. For more information, call Jacob Witcraft, nursery manager, at 887-6061. Our local nurseries are celebrating, as well, so it’s a good time to visit and check out their inventory.
We are fortunate that both county and state planners encourage landscaping as much as possible when developers apply for permits to build subdivisions and shopping centers. Unfortunately, our requirements are somewhat minimal when compared to many communities in Florida and California that also depend on a strong tourist industry. Developers from Kohanaiki, Kukio, Hualalai, Waikoloa and north to Kohala go that extra mile to really beautify their projects with lush landscaping. Smaller projects in Hilo and Kona often do not make that effort. When it comes to maintaining the landscape, they sometimes try to save a few bucks and the landscape deteriorates.
In the long run, millions of dollars may be lost as well as not keeping the communities attractive to local residents and visitors alike. To make matters worse, even though permits are given based on a commitment to landscaping, there is sometimes no follow through or trees are planted and then cut down at a later date.
It is vital that we continue to encourage good landscaping on big projects like new roads and highways, and at the same time landscape and maintain the little pieces of paradise we call our homes. Imagine the highway from Kona International Airport to Kailua Village planted in flowering trees and shrubs.
Our island is special in the we can grow almost any plant in the many micro climates that exist here. We have some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere in the world. However, it does take conscious planning, planting and maintenance to bring out the best.
By planting trees, we can actually change the “microclimate” and make our gardens and community several degrees cooler in the summer. If trees are placed just right, we can even create a garden climate that is warmer and less windy during the cooler season. It’s really interesting when we expand these basic principles. What happens when everyone in the neighborhood or community plants trees? Well, we can actually change the climate over fairly large areas. USDA foresters have research data that supports the theory reforestation may increase local rainfall in dry areas and modify temperature extremes. You might say that trees are natural air conditioners. When enough are planted in an area, temperatures remain cooler in the summer. The sun’s rays don’t have a chance to penetrate and heat up the ground. In the winter, those strong trade winds are blocked. The trees keep things cool in July and give protection from wind in January.
The best place to start improving the beauty of the island is right at home. In selecting trees for shade, consider the hundreds of species of tropical plants that produce food as well as shade. Depending on your taste, available space for planting, and location, we can grow almost anything. The more popular types of fruit trees include mango, coconut, citrus, guava, avocado, papaya, lychee, breadfruit and banana. Of course, our number one nut, the macadamia, is also an attractive choice.
Beside the more common edibles, the cashew, carambola, sapodilla, sugar apple, soursop, loquat, longan and tamarind are others that are ornamental trees. Spices like clove, cinnamon and allspice may also be grown.
We don’t have to stop with these. Shrubs like the natal plum, Ceylon gooseberry, Surinam cherry or pineapple guava might also be used.
Vines often add the right touch on a fence. Passion fruit, Ceylon spinach, winged bean and others will produce goodies to treat your appetite.
Even edible ground covers may be incorporated into a garden. Many herbs are tough and attractive as are some of our tropical vegetables, like dry land taro, sweet potato, monstera and Tahitian spinach.
There are so many choices, that the list is almost endless. Several books are available at local bookstores and garden supply stores. Sunset’s “New Western Garden Book” is a great starter. There are also many publications available through the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service to help you with care and use of some of the plants you might select. These can help in planning your landscape and maintaining it in the proper manner.
Just think, if each of us just planted one tree this weekend, there would be around 200,000 new trees added to our beautiful island.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For more information, contact a Master Gardener at 322-4892 in Kona or 981-5199 in Hilo.