A SYNOPSIS OF THREE LANDSCAPE REPORTS

I have reviewed the three landscape reports that have been made by professionals for Paniolo Hale (PH). In 1994, Dan Kuhn (The Tree People) reviewed PH trees and wrote a suggested tree care plan. In 2006, Fred Richardson (Molokai Nei Organics) wrote a landscape review and suggestions. In 2009, Jim Bevill (Pacific Research and Consulting) submitted a landscape evaluation. The following is a compiled summary of the 3 reports and my conclusions. The full reports can be found in the Landscape Book in the PH office.

GENERAL LANDSCAPING

Attractive landscape designs follow a theme such as tropical, Japanese, Mediterranean, formal informal, etc. Certain plants do not fit into certain themes. A design usually repeats the theme and stays away from single specimen plantings. It is better to repeat or group certain plant types. PH has a tropical theme which is the most interesting and beautiful for plant utilization.

The final size of the plants and their purpose needs to be established as well. Tall trees, medium trees, lower shrubs and bushes, vines and overhanging plantings, groundcover or grass each have their place. Initial landscape material is often selected for initial speed of growth and cost of material (i.e. fiddlewood). Fast growing material will fill in fast, but in the long run present higher maintenance costs. Many shade trees can develop into 80 ft. tall trees with a spread of 110 ft. (i.e. monkeypod). During initial planting, this is often not considered and trees are planted too close to houses or sidewalks for immediate effects. Urban environments require periodic tree maintenance to (1) manage limited space, (2) keep trees within safe standards and (3) protect buildings and/or ground installations. As landscapes become older, competing or undesirable trees can be eliminated or replaced with younger trees. This should be done gradually. High maintenance trees can be replaced by slower growing, less maintenance prone trees or plants.

TREES

General observations:

Tree health and long term tree quality should be used as the goal for making decisions on trees and shrubs. The budget dollar should be considered over 8-10 years or longer for mature trees and the value they contribute to the landscape assets. There are dangerous situations where trees are hanging directly over structures or limbs which are overextended. At present, large shrubs and trees show tall growth that is starting to overgrow the project. The growth can be controlled by quality pruning. These pruning methods are called selective crown reduction, cleaning, thinning and raising. PH gardeners can use these methods to control growth of shrubs and trees, but they will need to be well trained in pruning methods. At present, past pruning cuts show on branches as stubs, spurs or flush cuts that are detrimental to tree trunk health and do not present quality tree care.

Monkeypods:

These trees are the cornerstone for the PH look and feel. In general, they are planted too close for full tree development and therefore need regular pruning which should include eliminating conflicting and rubbing branches, deadwood removal and reduce circumference of the crown especially over the buildings. The roots need attention as many trees are planted in constricted areas. Some root pruning will be necessary with installation of root barriers. Where the roots are unsightly, they can be covered with soil, or a shade tolerant, taller groundcover like Lawai-Fern could be planted to cover the protruding roots.

Kiawe:

These are nice trees if the dead wood is removed regularly. Regular maintenance will reduce the falling of branches which have sharp thorns. Their foliage can be lifted up or thinned easily to allow view through the trees. Many are close to buildings and need periodic crown reduction for roof clearance.

Eucalyptus:

Its prime attribute is speed of growth and therefore makes a poor landscape tree. It is also brittle and for no apparent reason branches can break off. They are used in landscapes as a cheap tree that can fill in quickly. For urban landscapes especially close to buildings this is not a good tree. They are overwhelming and dangerous. These trees are hard to top. Crown reduction is difficult because of the slender long growth habit of the branches. The more mature the tree system and the longer pruning has not been maintained, the more likely it is that limb failure will occur. There are trees that have large infected areas and are vulnerable to failure. Others show early signs of the same kind of infection. All dangerous trees and limbs should be removed.

Fan Palm and Coconut Palm:

Fan palms (Washingtonia) are fast growing palms and reach 30’ to 50’ trunks in 10 years. After they reach 40’ trunk heights, they should be removed and younger palms planted. If the trunks are kept trimmed, this needs to be done annually. They can be left with a skirt of the dried leaves or a trimmed trunk or partial trimmed trunk with a skirt from about 15’ up. Coconuts need to be trimmed annually of nuts for liability and safety reasons. The best and least costly time is after the flowering stage when the nuts are starting to form. PH currently has a problem with these palms. They are very expensive to maintain and grow out of the maintenance zone rapidly. In addition, they are messy most of the year. A substitute for these palms could be the palm genus Pritchardia thurstonii

Bestill (Yellow Oleander):

Bestill can be used as privacy hedge or as a small pruned tree. It is relatively fast growing. The problem with PH Bestills is that they have been hedged and not pruned or not trimmed at all.

Fiddlewood:

Extremely fast growing tree of medium size with a very thick crown usually full of sucker growth. They should be replaced with a slower growing medium sized tree if space is available. The Fern tree (filicium decipiens) is non-aggressive and slow growing or the Hong Kong Orchid (bauhinia blakeana) would be more desirable and nicer trees.

Shower:

A very attractive tree which blooms from March to early September. This is a medium sized tree that is not aggressive and is often used in urban landscapes. Throughout the crown it can produce substantial sucker growth and needs more frequent attention. A problem at PH are the shower trees at S building that are close together and under the Monkeypod trees. Both are shade trees and should have their own allocation.

Formosa Koa:

This is a medium to fast growing tree with a 60’ to 70’ crown potential. Seed grows readily and this tree can take over an area. It can be used as a hedge or lower growing bush, but will need substantial maintenance. At PH, it is used as a privacy hedge and needs at least yearly maintenance. This is the wrong tree for this purpose and area. Bestill, Crown of gold (cassia), plumeria, Cockspur Coral (erythrina crista-galli), or fern pine (podocarpus gracilior) would be more appropriate low growing tree or bush.

In addition to the above, Coral cockspur, Coral, Paperbark, and Bottlebrush were discussed as attractive trees for PH. Milo and Ironwood (one each) are not appropriate plantings. Fruit trees are good for fruit, but not necessarily for landscape design. In generally, it is a policy decision whether or not to incorporate them into the landscape.

SHRUBS

Often smaller shrubs and small to medium trees are hedged or sheared instead of pruned. Hedged shrubs need monthly maintenance. Pruned bushes and trees need yearly or biyearly maintenance and provide a different look. To convert from a hedge to a pruned shrub takes two to three years of effort. The decision needs to be made in what fashion to maintain these plants. Pruning mixes basic principle with sculpture. Clean cuts are important to the presentation of the plant.

PROPAGATION

Propagation is an important resource for PH. There are a number of areas that have been overrun by aggressive plants. The grounds crew could have tables and focus on propagating material on the grounds which could be transplanted into troubled areas.

SELECTED AREAS

Pool Area:

The fan palm has been removed. Bevill suggests replanting with a lower growth type tree such as Plumeria or develop a theme around the outside pool area space using Ginger plant varieties found on the project.

Slope behind L building:

One of the Eucalyptus trees has been removed, the others have been considered for removal. Bevill suggests as a replacement for the slope, replant with Plumeria trees in clusters of three spread out over the hillside.

Paperbarks between J-4 andI-1:

Two of the trees (one has been taken out) should be removed now to prevent future annual pruning costs but more importantly the continuous damage to the main sewer line by tree root intrusion. The third paperbark tree should also be considered for removal due to its close proximity to the sewer line. Bevill suggests planting similar shrub that exists in the immediate area and add evergreen Plumeria in from of the lanais if the owners desire more foliage.

Citrus trees:

Citrus trees are being trimmed up as landscape trees, not as fruit bearing trees with lower branching. So that the branches do not get in the way of mowing, remove turf from around the trees out to the tree drip line or canopy of the tree. Some trees have a reduced canopy and should have the turf removed out 24 or more inches to promote growth. The turf free area should be routinely fertilized and mulched. The area around the trunk should not be mulched out 6-12 inches depending on the size of the tree trunk to prevent trunk crown rot.

Entrance Road Planter Upgrades:

1. Planters at the parking lot facing buildings T and S should be upgraded to colorful plantings similar to the office entrance. Basic background shrubs that will give height and privacy to the unit entrances should be used with lower planting closer to the parking lot. The project has the basic plant design in front of buildings L, N and P. This includes low growing Halaconia with tall ginger in the background as accent foliage. Some existing red foliage plantings could also be utilized to give color such as Crotea hedge.

2. The right side entrance shrubs, trees and oleanders should be viewed as presenting a pleasing appearance to the project. Keep it from being overgrown with selective pruning.

A-3:

The report has some suggestions for A-3 improvements.

BBQ:

Open up the BBQ area by pruning down the Podocarpus variety to promote a fuller hedge and give additional privacy to the wall around the grilling area. Prune back some of the overgrowth next to the table area to promote a thicker hedge of the existing vegetation.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Hysmith