Production and Evaluation of Mid to Low Elevation Locally-grown Trees to Replace Imported Christmas Trees Species Report
The species that were tried and documented by project collaborators were American Arborvitae, China Fir, Himalayan Cedar, Hinoki Cypress, Incense Cedar, Italian Stone Pine, Mexican Cypress, Monterey Cypress, Monterey Pine, Norfollk Pine, Snowbush, Southern Red Cedar, and Western Red Cedar.
Collaborator Species and Photos
Private Ranch—South Kona Elevation: 2,500-3,500 Plant transfer 8/26/19 in dibble tubes November 2019 Photos/measurements
South Kona Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), China Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolate), Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara).
Southern Red Cedar Southern Red Cedar Southern Red Cedar
Incense Cedar Incense Cedar Himalayan Cedar and Southern Red Cedar in dibble tubes before planting. Private Ranch—South Kona (Continued) Elevation: 2,500-3,500 Plant transfer 8/26/19 in dibble tubes November 2019 Photos/measurements
South Kona Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), China Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolate), Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara).
China Fir China Fir Himalayan Cedar
Himalayan Cedar American Arborvitae American Arborvitae
2 Holualoa – North Kona Palani Ranch Elevation: 1,200’
Holualoa Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea).
Southern Red Cedar Southern Red Cedar Western Red Cedar
Ninoole - North Hilo District Elevation: 1,000’ Photos: November 2019
Ninoole Species: Mexican Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa ), Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Snowbush (Chamaecyparis species), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens).
Southern Red Cedar Snowbush Mexican Cypress 3 Volcano—Puna Elevation: 3,750’
Volcano Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Mexican Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), Snowbush (Chamaecyparis species), Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara), Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Norfollk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla).
Southern Red Cedar Mexican Cypress
Amauulu Mauka, South Hilo Elevation: 1,515’
Amauulu Mauka Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Snowbush (Chamaecyparis species).
Southern Red Cedar Snowbush (5 years old)
4 DOFAW Baseyard—South Hilo Elevation: ~30’ Photos: October 2019
Hilo Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Mexican Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), Monterey Pine (Pinus radi- ata ),Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Snowbush (Chamaecyparis species), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Pinus oocarpa
Western Red Cedar Incense Cedar Monterey Pine
Snowbush Snowbush Southern Red Pine
5 DOFAW Baseyard—South Hilo (Continued) Elevation: ~30’ Photos: October 2019
South Hilo Species: Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Mexican Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), Monterey Pine (Pinus radi- ata ),Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea), Snowbush (Chamaecyparis species), Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Pinus oocarpa
Mexican Cypress Mexican Cypress Italian Stone Pine
Summary
The species that were selected by the collaborators and stakeholders as the trees they thought grew well and would make the most desirable Christmas trees were: American Arborvitae, Western Red Cedar, Snow Bush, Incense Cedar, and Italian Stone Pine. Project Horticulturalist and Project Director liked Western Red Cedar the best; they have good shape
American Arborvitae Western Red Cedar Snowbush Incense Cedar Italian Stone Pine
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