North Shore NewsOn Saturday November 2nd at 9 a.m. Waimea Valley will be hosting the annual Arbor Day tree give away, plant sale, and a seed exchange event hosted by Hawaii Seed. Waimea Valley has taken on the added kuleana this year of growing most of the two thousand trees that will be given away at five Oahu locations on Arbor Day. Deforestation and desertification of the land has been linked to human agriculture and urbanization. With the added challenge of climate change there is an even greater need for people to plant trees to offset CO2 emissions and promote global cooling. At Waimea we like to talk about our carbon handprint, the things we can do to reduce the atmospheric CO2. The Women’s Correctional Community Center in Kailua is also growing
200 plants this year with support from Smart Trees Hawaii, The Kailua Outdoor Circle, and Waimea botanical staff. The hope is to use this transitional year to pass the Arbor Day torch to a new organization.
President Roosevelt officially proclaimed Arbor Day on April 10, 1872 following J. Sterling Morton’s
Arbor Day success of planting one million trees in Nebraska. Arbor Day came to the Territory of Hawaii in 1905. Then Governor Carter proclaimed November 3, 1905 as Arbor Day and recommended that all public schools participate with part of the day devoted to planting trees and shrubs on school grounds. The custom of giving away seedlings for Arbor Day on Oahu began in 1993 when Hawai‘i graphic designer Cindy Turner enlisted the support of the Hawaiian Electric Company, Kaulunani the Urban Forestry Program of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since November 1993 more
than 50,000 trees and shrubs representing some 50 species have been given out for the public to plant.
The Waimea Valley free tree pick up location on Saturday November 2, 2019 will be at the parking lot located on your left as you enter the Valley across the parking booth. Listed below are the some of the plants available, first come first serve, one tree per person, no reservations or holds, 9 a.m. start,
no early birds please. The Waimea Valley seed exchange event also happens on Arbor Day, November 2, 2019. Visit the events page at Waimeavalley. net for more information. For other tree pick up locations please visit: arbordayhawaii.org
A‘ali‘i–Dodonaea viscosa: A small that grows tree 6 to 10 feet in height. The seed capsules that everyone loves for lei making vary in color from cream to green, pink all the way to deep maroon. Indigenous to Waimea and a keystone shrub species in our native reforestation efforts.
Kou–Cordia subcordata: This tree, popular for creating shade, was thought to be a Polynesian introduction until archeological remnants confirmed it was indigenous to Oahu.
Milo–Thespesia populnea: This is an excellent tree for coastal properties that constantly battle with wind and salt spray. Known as a canoe plant, the wood was used by the early Hawaiians for poi calabash.
And if you want to plant some trees in Waimea ‘Make a Difference Day’ at Waimea Valley is on Saturday, October 26th 2019. Join Miss Hawaii 2019, Nikki Holbrook, for a day of volunteer activities along with community organization information booths. Tools and trees will be provided but please bring your gloves. Other recommendations are closed toed shoes, mosquito spray, sunblock, hat, rain jacket, water and a lunch. All ages are welcome, event time is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make your reservation with the volunteer coordinator by calling 808-638-5855 or email volunteers@waimeavalley.net to make a difference.