IN 1986, a Chinese Banyan was the sole tree inhabiting a weed filled, otherwise barren circle of land at the entrance to Haleiwa Town. The banyan grew massive over the years in what is now called Weed Circle. Sadly, the iconic tree is also infested with the Ficus Leaf Gall Wasp and the Stem Gall Wasp.

North Shore Outdoor Circle members had been watching the banyan for years and noticed the tree’s slow deterioration. Members finally decided to ask the experts for an assessment.

Steve Nimz examined the tree and declared that along with the gall wasp infestation, there was plenty of dead wood and damage to the lower trunk and buttress roots. This would have required a structural crown pruning to address the branch tip die back as well as qualified tree care to oversee supplemental watering to improve growth and yearly treatment for Gall Wasps. Nimz, a certified consulting arborist contracted by the State of Hawaii, recommended replacement of the banyan with a more desirable tree species.

Doug De Moss, another certified arborist and resident of the North Shore, confirmed Nimz’ assessment and that the tree could live a few more years in poor condition possibly infecting other trees currently thriving in Weed Circle. Eventually the banyan could also collapse if it was not removed.

The North Shore Outdoor Circle (NSOC) is now working with the State of Hawaii and is also in the process of trying to secure grants or other funding for the removal of the dying tree. A new tree would be planted in the Chinese Banyan’s stead. The NSOC would like to see a mature tree with a large canopy planted in the same space near the center of Weed Circle.

The mission of the NSOC is to keep the North Shore clean, green and beautiful. Part of this mission is to preserve trees. The group only supports cutting trees down when they are no longer viable. Like all living things, trees can and do become diseased and die.

Today, the NSOC is responsible for the maintenance of the trees and irrigation system in Weed Circle while the Hawaii State Highway Maintenance Department is accountable for cutting the lawn. Twice yearly, or more often as needed, NSOC members prune the trees under the supervision of a certified arborist. The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the Ka Iwi Garden Triangle adjacent to Weed Circle and maintains the welcome to Historic Haleiwa Town sign.

It is also important to note that Weed Circle and Ka Iwi Gardens are not Honolulu City and County parks so there should be no picnics, play dates and especially no swings hung from branches, particularly the banyan tree branches. Weed Circle is a traffic circle and a lovely, scenic byway and entrance into Haleiwa. Weed Circle is named after the Weed Family who donated the land and built an adjacent bus stop shelter in 1998.

The NSOC will keep the community informed about the banyan’s removal and the planting of a new tree in the banyan’s place. If there are suggestions for a replacement tree, tree sources or if community members would like to get involved by donating to the project please contact the NSOC tree committee at nsoutdoorcircle@hawaii.rr.com Mahalo and Aloha!