Albizia trees in Puna (Fern Acres: power lines, insurance, houses)

[treehouse44]

I am considering purchasing a lot in Fern Acres that has 3 large Albizia trees on it. The trees are not located where the building site is, but I am concerned they will need to be removed. Has anyone had experience removing Albizia trees? I would prefer to keep them, but all I've read about them is negative. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them?

[Mar0]

A while back they wanted to plant lots of albizia trees here on Kauai to make biofuel- or something along those lines. One of the issues that came up was the fact that albizia trees are invasive and can prevent endemic plants and trees from growing. Also, the trees have been known to fall/break more easily than other trees (I lived on a road that had choke albizia trees and after a storm there were branches/sticks EVERYWHERE-much moreso on my road than others). Anyways, many people felt that albizia trees are everywhere at this point, that trying to remove them b/c they are invasive would be nearly impossible. The trees were never planted for biofuel, but thats how Kauai is.

Anyways, I don't know if you would need to remove them- what is your reason to do so?

[cynmkolohe]

From the free USDA publication Albizia: The Tree That Ate Puna: (DM me if you would like the pdf with photos)

Albizia is a fast growing tree that is invasive (weedy) in native `ohi`a forests as well as on land disturbed by human activities.

Albizia causes `ohi`a to die off, and makes the environment more favorable for other invasive species (clidemia, guava, and possibly miconia and the coqui frog).

Because of their brittle wood and weak structure, large albizia trees pose a hazard to nearby infrastructure. Strong winds can cause large limbs to drop onto whatever may be underneath, potentially causing costly damage to homes and power lines.Albizia grows at a rapid rate. Trees can reach heights of more than 20 feet in their first year, 45
feet in their third year, and 60 feet by the end of their tenth year. The crown of an albizia tree
is broad, capable of shading over half an acre.

What you can do:
�� Leave the natural vegetation untouched—don’t bulldoze—until you are ready to utilize the land. Albizia grows rapidly in bulldozed areas
�� Eliminate albizia seedlings and small trees before they become a problem.
�� Deal responsibly with “hazard trees.” Trees that are posing a hazard to infrastructure should be removed professionally.

Methods of control:
�� For medium-sized to large trees, and any trees near infrastructure, contact an arborist for free consultation to determine the safest and most effective course of action to remove the tree. An arborist will help you determine when professional removal is necessary.
�� Fell saplings and young trees and apply herbicide to cut stumps immediately. Triclopyr amine is
effective at concentrations of 7-10%.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by treehouse44

I am considering purchasing a lot in Fern Acres that has 3 large Albizia trees on it. The trees are not located where the building site is, but I am concerned they will need to be removed. Has anyone had experience removing Albizia trees? I would prefer to keep them, but all I've read about them is negative. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them?

In Hawai'i, Albizia trees are an invasive species, therefore it is best to remove them before they propagate and further damage the native ecosystem. Within a couple of years, three large Albizia trees in Puna can produce a few dozen 30-foot high Albizia trees, providing a wonderful habitat for the coqui frog -- another invasive species in Hawai'i. There's nothing like a Puna rainforest full of Albizia trees dropping their branches indiscriminately and coqui frogs chirping at 100 decibels to make one appreciate the native ʻōhiʻa trees of old.

On a positive note, Albizia trees can be used for lumberjack training and the wood can be used to make fiberboard and charcoal.

[hotzcatz]

If you can make the albizia trees into charcoal and then work the charcoal into your garden area, it will vastly improve the garden.

It shouldn't be too hard to remove them before the house is there since you wouldn't have to worry about dropping the tree on the house.

[nwcountrygal]

One unfourtantly I like the look of the Albizia tree. Then I found out about them. While looking for property in Puna I would walk away from a place with Albizia trees - all the locals said stay away - as Cynthia said bulldozing only makes them expand. Back in the day Copper sulphate would make the Maple trees quit expanding root wise - cut the tree down and paint with this highly toxitic thing. Would it work? don't know?

And while I was looking at property in Hawaiian Shores and Lielani I was told I would be respondsible for removing the trees... it is Hawaii though .... when and where ??? But my undrestanding nope not a good thing. Who wants braches falling on your car or hourse? or cutting them down just to come back.

[indigoblues]

Hmmm… things are badly skewed and disjointed regarding this topic, let’s get real here and talk true reality and not scare tactics to increase tree clearing contract sales. I’d like to share the following with regard to the USDA’s direction. “The National Invasive Species Management Plan indicates that NISC will focus on non-native organisms known to cause or likely to cause negative impacts and that do not provide an equivalent or greater benefit to society.”

What’s important to understand here is that there is a leading authority regarding what is deemed as an invasive plant species within this nation. In the USA we call this the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is the department responsible for such matters. If you follow this link http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=15 you will find that there’s no mention of the Albizia tree listed in the state of Hawaii. Hence it is not an invasive species in Hawaii. It is however a non-native/alien species to the state of Hawaii but that does not automatically deem it invasive or a threat to the economic or ecological systems of the state. Indeed the opposite is true; this tree will provide a far greater biodiversity populace than an Ohia tree. In other words, the Albizia tree is better for the ecological system and in other cases the economical system, thus providing a GREATER BENIFIT to the society of Hawaii. As per Albizia trees being a threat to human life and property; LET’S GET REAL RIGHT HERE… they are no more a danger than any other large tree.
The Albizia tree is no more dangerous with regard to falling atop structures and people than any other large tree. I spent the better part of 45 years living in the state of Washington. During that period I personally know a few people who have had their homes crushed by falling Fir trees or their branches, I’ve watched several Firs fall in high winds. When it comes to large trees on ones property; a responsible large tree owner will inspect his or her trees for possible problems. If a tree is leaning in the wrong direction, shows signs of decay, etc, then such an issue should be addressed appropriately. The Albizia tree is no different in this respect. I’ve personally fallen (cut down) well over 100 various fir trees over 100 feet tall on my own properties throughout the years and that was in effort to clear for site preparations or for safety/preventative measures, this also included de-liming dead and damaged branches.
In all reality, the Albizia tree is simply a matter of one’s own preferences with regard to ownership of such a tree, with that ownership comes the responsibility of its management just like any other large tree owner would encounter within this country. For some people, an Albizia tree will be welcomed while for other people in ignorance they may want to run the other way; it all depends on ones mindset, likes, dislikes and their willingness to be a responsible large tree owner.

[nwcountrygal]

Hmmm I will take a fir anyday vrs Albizia tree. Have plenty of them at my houses in WA. They don't grow at amazing light speed - break as easily - drop near the branches (although I did have one go through a window) and cover the entire canopy light. They also are not a friend to the coqui frog. I was told that I would have to remove any Albizia at some point in time off the property I was looking at. So getting real is the question here. I don't know anyone in Hawaii that is out planting Albizia trees because they are pretty!

[indigoblues]

Originally Posted by nwcountrygal

Hmmm I will take a fir anyday vrs Albizia tree. Have plenty of them at my houses in WA. They don't grow at amazing light speed - break as easily - drop near the branches (although I did have one go through a window) and cover the entire canopy light. They also are not a friend to the coqui frog. I was told that I would have to remove any Albizia at some point in time off the property I was looking at. So getting real is the question here. I don't know anyone in Hawaii that is out planting Albizia trees because they are pretty!

Nothing within what I wrote above recommended being irresponsible and building a house under an Albizia tree, nor would I build a house under Fir trees even though you might build under a Fir. Again; ALL LARGE TREES pose a threat to that which is within striking distance, if you're ignorant enough to have your house under a large tree then be prepared to place an insurance claim and I don't care what kind of large tree it is.
The individual who started this thread says there are no Albizia near his building site... now you’re going to tell him he is in danger and the Albizia has to be removed; by what authority? Sounds like another "Island fairy tale" to me.
If they are so dangerous... why does the state allow them grow at Lava Tree park and all over the state along the roads?
This issue is being addressed throughout the state now, arborists must be consulted as does the public before removing any trees within parks and along roadways, this protection is also afforded to the Albizia.

Please, let's not get on the topic of Coqui frogs, that's just another "island fairy tale".

I'm certainly glad the new Federal guidelines have been put in place regarding REAL invasive species... now perhaps the political hype over such things in Hawaii will dwindle down as there will be no more free federal funding money for "fairy tale" junk science claims by the state, only the legitimate things will be addressed and focused on now. All the bogus propaganda has already begun to fade away on the net and soon in the people’s minds too. Most of these issues are pure junk hype propaganda spurred on by the state and the state has since abandon such practices because the money well has been removed.

[nwcountrygal]

Fairy Tale? Have you been to Hawaii? OK I am done. My opinion I wouldn't buy a property with Albizia on it.