Pruned trees

Over the past couple weeks we have pruned back the tips of the tallest trees. 

The a Rollinia in the front yard took the biggest cut, about 4-5 ft off the top, and trimmed some precarious long side branches as well. Trimmed the Marang and tallest Ulu to try to balance the apex growth. Trimmed back the lawn avocado and the two largest lime trees. Hacked off a large south pointing limb of the orange tree to balance the tree a little better with the "ti corridor" in front. 

New trees planted

Yesterday and Tuesday , planted out two rollinia from 1 gallon pots. (4h). Planted one in former "fern grotto" near site where we lost a mangosteen. Planted other in spot near mauka pond where we formerly cut a guava. Had to dig out the remaining guava roots first. Rollinia were from Garden Exchange and cost $10 each. 

Today, purchased two 3 gal ulu from Home Depot. ($32.95 each). A bit more expensive than Plant It Hawaii's tree sale would have been, but I was eager to get the last two in the ground, bringing total ulu to 12. The two new ones were labeled "Samoan Ulu" and branded "NG: Novelty Greens". Took about 3h to prep and plant the ulu. 

All four were planted with the weed block and hoop technique. This time, two perpendicular layers of weed fabric were layed down (with a slot cut halfway across each for the tree trunk). A hog wire hoop about 3-4' tall was secured atop the fabric using scrap wood stakes pounded into the ground, tied to the hoop with shoelaces or wire. A small amount of black cinder (0.75-2 cu ft) was poured atop the fabric, inside the hoop, under the tree's bottom most leaves, to hold down the fabric and provide more light block. Some perennial peanut stolons were planted in the cinder to assist with weed blocking eventually. 

Tree sizes update

Breadfruit and marang are growing fast. Second smaller row of ulu needs fertilizer soon-- leaves are looking pale but they are growing. 

Rollinia has nearly doubled in size in the past six months. 

Driveway trees have developed nicely since July. 

More fertilizing

Fertilized rollinia, fig, old lime, pink eureka, fig, green gold avocado. About 1/2 lb triple-16 each. (45m). Also placed some black weed block down around.

Still need to do key lime, Bearss lime, honey tangerine.

Rollinia

This tree is planted in one of the wettest parts of the pasture. It seems to be doing very well, adding maybe 50% volume in the past 3 months.

Rollinia progress

Rollinia continues to look "droopy" although it continues to sprout new leaves and branches. My guess is that the drooping is not a problem and that the tree in the front entry triangle will double in size by next year.

The Rollinia is already outgrowing its pig protection cage. Will leave the cage on for six months to see how it progresses.

Dry spell

• Ulu were looking rather dry: spent about 2 hours watering them with long hoses and buckets as well as weeding the surrounding pasture.
• Rollinia was looking dry as well -- watered for about 20 minutes
• Pig barriers seem to be holding up around Rollinia and junior Ma'afala
• Moved three coconut sprouts in 3 gal pots to "peninsula" and spent some time hacking back the waiawi there (45 mins)
• Weeds in pasture are diversifying, still dominated by papyrus-like tall grass
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