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‘ĀINA MAUNA CHRISTMAS DEMONSTRATION PLANTING WORKSHOP MARCH 18, 2016 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

The ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project involves importing and propagating and outplanting Douglas , Noble fir, and Grand fir on Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands (DHHL) land in Humu‘ula/Pi‘ihonua on Hawai‘i Island. Our goal is to show that these Christmas tree species are suitable for Hawai‘i production and to establish protocols to grow top quality that can compete with imported trees in our local markets. We encourage anyone interested in the growing Christmas trees to attend this Christmas Workshop.

Agenda for the Day

1. Welcome, Blessing and Opening Protocols (8:00-8:15 Sheep Station)

2. Block B Site (2002 Trials): Project Summary by Mike Robinson and Aileen Yeh (8:45-9:15)

3. Planting Site Presentations: (10:00-11:15)  Melissa Sprecher, DOFAW Program Coordinator: 2013 “Hawai‘i-grown Christmas Tree Market Potential” Needs Assessment Study (15 minutes)  Mike Robinson, DHHL : Species Selection, Site Evaluation and Preparation (15 minutes)  Aileen Yeh, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center Horticulturalist: Seed vs. Seedlings and Nursery Protocols (15 minutes)  Anthony S. Davis, University of Idaho: Selection and Care. (15 minutes)  Nick Koch, Solutions, Inc. Forester: Site Maintenance (15 minutes)

4. Hands-on Planting (11:15-12:30)  Planting demonstrations by Mike Robinson and Anthony Davis  Participants outplant seedlings

5. Lunch Break/Talk Story (12:30-1:30)

6. Hands-on Planting (1:30-2:30)  Participants outplant remaining seedlings  Clean up

7. Pau (2:30 pm)

Mahalo to funders & partners State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, USDA Department of Agriculture, County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development, DHHL, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawaii Council, US Forest Service, Hawaii Agriculture Resource Center (HARC), DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW).

Hawai‘i Forest Association Phone: 808-933-9411 Email: [email protected] HFIA Website: www.hawaiiforest.org Presentations

Melissa Sprecher, DOFAW Forestry Program Coordinator 2013 “Hawai‘i-grown Christmas Tree Market Potential” Needs Assessment Study According to Hawaii-grown Christmas Tree Market Potential, a study conducted by SMS Research and funded by the State of Hawaii Department of Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW), and the US Forest Service, “In 2012 it was estimated that the total number of Christmas Trees sold in Hawai‘i was in excess of 190,000. Of these, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture estimates that 183,000 Christmas trees (96%) were imported. The remaining approximately 7,500 Christmas trees (4%) were grown and sold in Hawai‘i.” According to the study, the majority of imported Christmas trees are and Noble Fir, which are preferred by Hawai‘i residents because of their fragrance, color, and low price. Representatives from DLNR’s Department of Forestry and SMS Research discussed the results of the study and applied them to the potential future for a Christmas tree market in Hawai‘i. The study outlines the pros and cons associated with growing Christmas trees in Hawai‘i and identifies several ways in which a Christmas tree market may be realistic and desirable for both local farmers and consumers.

Mike Robinson, DHHL Forester Species Selection, Site Evaluation, and Site Preparation

Why we selected these species?:  Real Christmas trees – look, smell, durability  Popular in Hawai‘i, market already exists  Have tested Douglas fir in this area with positive results  Rated as non-invasive

Site Evaluation: Good Christmas tree sites have the listed characteristics (site specific underlined):  Open to full sun – yes  Adequate rain – more than 25 inches per year – 60 - 78 inches per year  Well drained – PUC - Pu Oo silt loam, “strongly acid”, rapid permeability, slow runoff, slight erosion hazard  Level or moderate sloping - PUC – “6-12% slopes”  Good pH – between 5.1 and 6.5; current pH is 4.7  Adequate soil nutrition – both macro and micro-nutrients; 11-52-0, need P, CA, Mg  Room for rooting – PUC – root penetration to 3 feet or more  Good site preparation – clear of stumps, competing brush, deep ripping, disking or plowing, and leveling. Ripped, grass treated twice with Habitat/Roundup  Adequate roads – All weather roads “key ingredient”. Rough road, need good weather  Suitable location – U-Cut trees need to be close to population centers, if farm is remote can be difficult to prevent vandalism. Wildlife damage can be a problem. Area very remote, sheep/cattle/pig fenced.

Aileen Yeh, HARC Horticulturalist and Researcher and HFIA Vice President Why did we choose to grow our own seedlings? We want to avoid bringing pathogens into Hawai‘i. Besides the chance of bringing in pests such as wasps, slugs, and other pests that can be seen with the eyes, it is even harder to detect microorganisms that cause disease. Because of the incidence of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in the Pacific North West, it was felt that it would be irresponsible to bring in live plants for our demonstration project. Phytophthora ramorum is a fungal pathogen that causes “sudden oak death”. In addition to oaks, it affects Douglas fir, grand fir, white fir, and red fir in parts of California, Washington, and Oregon. Most importantly, it was found that our native species , 'Ōhelo, and Pūkiawe were susceptible to P. ramorum. Other species that have not been tested may also be susceptible. P. ramorum is spread by water and soil movement; and a plant may not

show symptoms. Symptoms include tip and shoot die-back and damage looks very much like injury from frost or Botrytis tip blight. Some commercial nurseries in the mainland that grow seedlings for large scale plantings were found to have P. ramorum, and this contributed to the spread of the disease to other areas.

Selection of seed sources is important: Because plants growing in one location are adapted to their area, they may not do well when planted in areas that have different growing conditions. A new location may be higher, lower, drier, wetter, hotter or colder than where they originated. Also, many and temperate plants require specific day lengths. Some may be more or less susceptible to frost conditions. An earlier trial in 2002 tested seed sources of Douglas fir, red fir, white fir, Noble fir, big cone Doug fir, and other potential Christmas trees to see what could be grown here in Hawai‘i. Seed was cold stratified and sown in nurseries in Hilo and Kamuela. It was found that although all seed germinated, not all of them would grow. Those seed lots that did well in the nursery were planted out at Humu‘ula.

Nursery Protocols 1. Seed Quality: Purity (at least 95% pure seed) and 5. Growing Regimes: soundness Phase 2. Stratification and germination tests Initial Growth Phase 3. Sowing calculations Accelerated Growth Phase 4. Container type, growing medium and tray filling Bud initiation and root collar diameter growth

Desired Seedling characteristics: Large root collar diameters, well-formed buds, high root growth potential.

Potential Problems in the Nursery: 1. Rats and birds when germinating 4. Fusarium and other root rots 2. Slugs and other nursery pests 5. Plants can be held too long, leading to root 3. Too wet or too dry bound plant.

Potential Problems after outplanting: 1. Field preparation 4. Birds 2. Fertilizing 5. Rats 3. 6. Water – too much or too little.

Anthony S. Davis, PhD., University of Idaho Director of the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research and Associate Professor of Native Plant and Silviculture Seedling Selection and Care: The Target Plant Concept as a Conceptual Model The Target Plant Concept (TPC) presents the opportunity to improve success of tree planting projects by quantifying seedling attributes that are linked to field performance of seedlings. Essentially, by determining which parameters are most influential on seedling performance after planting, and then measuring those variables, one is able to continuously refine planting practices to enhance the growth of the species. There are five core components of the TPC:  Objectives and Constraints  Limiting Factors on the Outplanting Site  Stocktype and Seedling Quality  Source of Plant Material  Outplanting and Follow-up Practices

These will be discussed in the context of the ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project in an aim to provide tangible steps that can lead to better field establishment and more efficient production of Christmas trees.

Nicolas Koch, Forest Solutions Inc. Forester and General Manager and HFIA President Site Maintenance HFIA Christmas Tree Plantings

Prepared by Forest Solutions Inc.

Total fenced area: 4 acres Christmas tree planting area: 2 acres Outcome of trial: To see if Douglas fir can be planted and harvested later for Christmas trees Site Activity Table Month/Year Operation Method Purpose/Comment Pre plant Broadcast spraying by ATV Spraying was done to provide a grass and weed free site Apr-14 spray with prescribed herbicide before site preparation Ripping by dozer on contour May-14 Site prep Ripping to break up soil so roots can penetrate with ease at 10 feet spacing Enclosure The fence was installed to keep out all ungulates (pigs, cows Jun-14 8 foot hog wire fence fencing and sheep) Hydrated Applied to the surface by Lime was applied to neutralize the soil and make it suitable Jul-14 lime hand for planting application Hand planting by dibble A portion of the total area was planted. Planting was done in Aug-14 Planting stick/picks/shovel a 10 x 10 spacing

Fertilizer was applied once seedlings were planted to help Aug-14 Fertilize Hand crown application with planting shock and to promote root growth

Post plant Herbicide was applied around seedlings to keep grasses and Nov-14 Backpack ring application spraying weeds from encroaching on to seedlings

Post plant Herbicide was applied around seedlings to keep grasses and May-15 Backpack ring application spraying weeds from encroaching on to seedlings

Pre plant Broadcast spraying by Grasses and weeds were controlled in areas not planted yet May-15 spray backpack to provide a weed free site for new work

Hand planting by dibble A portion of the total area was planted using a 1 0x 10 Jun-15 Planting stick/picks/shovel spacing

Pre plant Broadcast spraying by Grasses and weeds were controlled in areas not planted yet Nov-15 spray backpack to provide a weed free site for new work

Hand planting by dibble A portion of the total area was planted using a 1 0x 10 Dec-15 Planting stick/picks/shovel spacing

Learn more at http://www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org/our-projects/christmas-tree-demonstration-project/