Keauhou Ranch Koa Forestry

Nick KochForest Solutions Inc

• Scarification: High elevation, 1970s

• Planting: Low elevation, 2000’s

Two reforestation methods

• Grazing

These uses allowed Kamehameha Schools to fulfill its education edict

• Koa harvest

Legacy of extractive use 1950s-90s

• Intensive logging on1,200 acres (40-60 ac year)– Clear-cut– Seed tree

• Cattle excluded

Late 1970s-90s: Experimentation

R Skolmen, USFS

• Vigorous germination of koa following scarification

Clear-cut &seed tree =same result

Scarification: Results

1 yr

R Skolmen, USFS

• Scarification is highly effective with an existing seed bank

Excellent response

P Scowcroft, USFS

Early growth rates were high

P Scowcroft, USFS

& few crop trees

High basal area

Result: 23 years later

• Scarification is successful when seed source is immediately present

Result: 20-30 years later

Kilauea Forest Reserve

(Not harvested)

Keauhou Scarification

More thinning is needed to ensure there are more of them!

Crop trees show some promise

Result: 34 years later…

• Periodic thinning is needed

• Forest inventory and stocking guides form the basis for thinning decisions

• Rotation length will be between 40 and 60 years

• Limited harvest entries earlier

Active management is required

P Scowcroft, USFS

• Kamehameha Schools began planting koa trees in the 1980’s as part of its educational program

• In 2005, Forest Solutions began planting koa at a rate of 40-60 acres per year

• This effort continues to date

1980s – Today: Planting in pasture

• Grass / competition control• Site preparation• Planting• Fertilizing• Stem form improvement• Thinning

Steps for planting & maintenance

Grass control manual /mechanized

Site preparation – spot (2006 –today)

Site preparation – row (2011)

• Seeds are collected from superior trees in Keauhou Ranch

• Seed collections are kept refrigerated in air tight containers

• A seed lot number is used to track provenance

Seed collection & documentation

Seedling production

Inspecting seedling quality

Applying agro-gel & water

Dibble planting in spot cultivated field

Planting

• Planting quality is essential to early development

• Inspections– J Root– Too deep– Too shallow– Angle planted

Planting quality control is key

• Small amount of fertilizer is applied just after planting

• Objective is to boost early growth and reduce weed control needed

• We are working on studying the effect, if any of fertilizers, which may not be needed

Fertilizer: Boost early growth

• Early growth rate of one inch diameter per year

• Already tapering off by year 6

• Coincides with canopy closure

• Wet side and dry side areas display different growth rates

Growth rates – variable

• Remove competing leaders only

• First entry at 10-12 months

• Last entry at approximately two years

Stem form improvement

To avoid this outcome

P Scowcroft, USFS

So what about cost?

Pre-plant weed control, 58.3974099554836, 3%Spot cultivation Wilco,

198.300283286119, 11%

Seedlings and planting, 679.117766086604, 37%

Post plant fertilizer 1, 190.292998785917, 10%

Singling 1, 84.0145690004047, 5%

Pruning 1, 140.024281667341, 8%

Aerial broadcast control 2, 183.318494536625, 10%

Pruning 2, 140.024281667341, 8%

Aerial broadcast control 3, 89.0651558073654, 5%

Pruning 3, 70.0121408336705, 4%

Total = 1,838

• Disease– Koa wilt– Psyllids

• Fire– Rare but catastrophic

• Weeds– Thrive on neglect by land managers

And threats?

Pests

Fire – and other events

Invasive weeds

• Scarification works well where an existing seed bank is present

• It is not a panacea– Still need to thin – though later– Still need to select for form– Still need some weed control

• Active management is needed!

Summary: Scarification

• Planting works well in areas where seed bank is depleted

• Best suited for high quality sites • Needs intensive management early on• Is an interim step toward true uneven-age

management• Improved seed sources are desperately needed

– Wood quality and stem form are highly heritable

Summary: Planting

Scarification & planting are not mutually exclusive1. Scarify an area2. Set out a series of plots to check recruitment3. Plant into open areas4. If open areas become too large, revert to plantation

establishment

Summary: Combination

Questions?