Activities
Invasive weed trees were cut and chipped into wood-chip mulch for Arboretum use. Trees less than 20 inches were chipped creating 35 to 40 yards of chips and piled at Arboretum entrance. A 50 foot swath, approximately 600 feet long along the upper side of road to the Arboretum, is now cleared of Wattle trees, Christmas berry and Wild Olive.
Small branches and brush were cut to lay in pieces and root balls on steep areas were left in place to help prevent erosion. Where root-balls were removed, soil was compacted with the bucket of the excavator.
A 225 excavator cleared dense areas tangled with lantana and vines, making it possible for the ground crew with saws to get to the trees. Trees were delivered by excavator to the chipper to be bucked and chipped. Trees on areas too steep for the excavator were bucked and delivered manually to the chipper.
Additional trees were cleared from electric lines for fire prevention. Trees were cleared from both sides of the property’s north fence line. A cleared fence line access road now acts as a fire break. Trees not easily cast down to the chipper with the excavator were piled into Berms.
Outcomes
There are many chips. Most will be distributed around native species in the Arboretum. Chips will break down simulating a natural forest environment, vitalizing the soil with natural fertilizers and micro-nutrients. Additionally, 3 to 4 inch layer of chips around the trees out to their “drip-line” will control weeds, reduce the need for irrigation and herbicides, maintain moisture for nutrient absorption, and help prevent erosion. Remaining chips will be used on fence line access road for weed, dust and erosion control.
The cleared swath of land above main road to the Arboretum is now clear of falling trees dangerous to hikers and vehicles. Trees will no longer fall and block the road
after a wind storm, nor fall on the property fence. Trees have been removed near electric lines for fire prevention. The fence line access road acts as a fire-break.
Cleared areas are now accessible for maintenance with herbicide sprays via back-pack or ATV sprayer.
The clearing exposes the property’s old waterline and old galvanized pipe. The old pipe, now easily accessible, will be used for future trail upgrade in the Arboretum.
Outcome Differences
The Arboretum road is narrow and made of cinder. The road began cracking under the weight of the excavator. The excavator was limited to helping the ground crew cast trees to the chipper at just the property entrance. Remaining trees along entrance road were delivered manually to the chipper rather than with the excavator as planned.
On the 50 foot swath of land cleared above the main road to the Arboretum, a large fallen Eucalyptus tree remains. A temporary road would need to be dug for excavator access to remove the tree .Weighing the advantages and work involved to cut the road and clear the tree along with the erosion problem, the large fallen tree remains.
With the use of an excavator and additional funding from Hawaii Community Foundation’s Ho’okupu fund, Project Health exceeded expectations. More areas wasted by Wattle were reclaimed than previously anticipated, clearing electric lines, fence lines, fence line access road and fire breaks.
Future Plans
Project Health supports the health of the D.T. Fleming Arboretum, a unique and valuable native seed resource for the preservation, reforestation and restoration of Hawaii’s native plants and fragile ecosystem. Project Health will supply the Arboretum’s rare native species with on-site mulch encouraging microorganisms essential to promote healthy growth and seed production. With mulch there is improved water conservation, nutrient absorbtion, and weed control, reducing the need for herbicides.
Cleared areas will be kept clean of new weed-tree seedlings. Remaining grass will help stabilize the newly cleared areas. A proposed grant for Kikuyu grass seed planted this winter will control erosion and help weed control.
The property boundary is now cleared on both sides of the fence, ready for installation of new deer fencing planned in 2009. Once the property is upgraded from cattle to deer fencing, all 17 acres can be planted. Cleared areas will be reforested with native plants, restoring native habitat and the once rich watershed on the slopes of Haleakala.
