Many folks already purchased their Christmas tree this year, and if they were cut on the mainland and shipped here the trees might already be losing needles. ADVERTISING Many folks already purchased their Christmas tree this year, and if they
Many folks already purchased their Christmas tree this year, and if they were cut on the mainland and shipped here the trees might already be losing needles.
Some say it is the piney odor that makes it seem like Christmas. Other folks might find it a bit sad to see a cut tree in the process of dying right before their eyes.
There is another alternative and that is using a potted living tree that can be planted after the holidays. The ones most readily available are what we refer to as Norfolk pines.
In Hawaii, what we call Norfolk pines might actually be Cook pines or possibly hybrids between the two species. Unfortunately, they have no scent. This issue can be solved by using boughs of Douglas fir or spruce since these are the trees brought from the mainland and often trimmed to improve their appearance as they fade away. The trimmings are usually discarded so tree salespeople often give the cuttings freely.
Since the Big Island has many microclimates, ranging from lowland tropical to high mountain alpine, test plantings of Douglas fir were established in the uplands on the Hamakua side. There also are some trees thriving near the monument erected to mark the spot where botanist David Douglas was killed. Hopefully, we someday will see Douglas firs growing in the mountains above 5,000 feet and supplied by local Christmas tree farmers. This would bring a multimillion-dollar business back home. We already have nurseries growing potted Portuguese cypress and Monterey pine that then can be planted in gardens at cooler elevations.
Island landscapes vary with locale and Norfolk pines might fit the bill in upland regions, where a piney woods effect is desired. Since this tropical relative of the pine does not have a piney woods fragrance, a mixed planting with true pines will take care of that.
The Loblolly pine, Sugi pine and coastal redwood are sometimes available from the state forestry service and can be grown at elevations of 3,000 feet and higher. Norfolk pines can be grown even at sea level. Their big advantage is they make excellent windbreaks and are effective in establishing forest watersheds. They also can be planted as a source of cut Christmas trees.
Captain Cook is credited with the discovery of this uniquely symmetrical tree that has been described as being similar to a huge green candle. It was introduced to Hawaii in the 19th century and belongs to a group of conifers known as Araucarias. This includes some of the largest, tallest and most long-lived evergreen trees in the world.
In earlier geological periods, members of this family were included among the most widespread of the seed-bearing plants. Nowadays, they are found only in a limited region, with Australia, New Caledonia and other islands in the southwest Pacific area being the home of many species in this family. Some also can be found in South America, the home of the famed monkey puzzle tree of Chile. Other members include the Australian bunya bunya pine with its 20-pound cones and the Cook pine from New Caledonia.
If you don’t have a Norfolk pine, check with our local nurseries, garden shops or the forestry service. The forestry service supplies small plants for reforestation projects at a very low price. Fifty or more plants must be purchased and orders are usually taken in advance. They also are quite easy to grow from seed. If you have access to a mature tree, you can grow your own with patience and time.
At 15 years or older, Norfolk island pines begin to produce seed cones. The cone is composed of a central stalk and many seed scales, each having one seed. It takes one year for the cone to reach maturity. When it is ready, the cone will shatter if struck. During late June through September, seeds can be gathered from under the tree and planted immediately.
Vermiculite or a similar sterile medium can be used to germinate the seeds. Place the seeds in the medium at a 45-degree angle, keeping the upper surface and outside portion of the seed up. In about seven to 10 days, the viable seeds will begin to sprout and germination should be completed within three weeks.
When the seedlings are about a month old, they can be transplanted into 1-quart containers. Use a good quality organic soil and give the tree a good feeding with any complete fertilizer such as organic 8-8-8 or a slow release type such as 18-16-12. Keep soil moist but not soggy, and locate the plants in an area with filtered, indirect sunlight. For taller and healthier trees, feed regularly at three- to four-month intervals.
Before the young plants become root-bound, they should be repotted in a larger, 1-gallon container or planted in the ground. If kept in a container, this repotting process can be continued until you think the tree has become too heavy to be moved or too large to remain contained. Keep in mind that Norfolk island pines can grow to 100 feet in height with an extensive root system. However, they can be topped every three to four years to supply a cut Christmas tree. In any case, they should never be planted too close to the house, or you might end up with Santa Claus and a Christmas tree down your chimney.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For more information about gardening and landscaping, contact one of our Master Gardeners at 981-5199 in Hilo or 322-4892 in Kona.
