Posted on: Sunday, October 7, 2001

Homestyle / Hawai'i Gardens
Choosing a yard tree requires thought

By Heidi Bornhorst

Selecting a tree for your garden is one of the most fun — and challenging — opportunities for Hawai'i gardeners.

Most of us have limited space and small yards here in the Islands, so this requires careful thought and landscape planning. First, you must answer these questions: How big is your garden? What do you want from a tree: Shade? Fruit? Flowers? Color? What trees are adapted to your climate? Do you want a native Hawaiian plant? What do you like? How much time do you have to spend tending the garden?

Look around your neighborhood to see what you like and what is growing well. Ask around — your neighbors, gardening experts that you know, ask at your garden shop or favorite nursery; inquire at the UH or community colleges. They have a lot of information and valuable handouts. Go to the library. The Hamilton Library at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has an excellent resource person who is also a horticulturist, Eileen Herring. She has developed a very informative Web site. Go to a benefit plant sale and ask the experts that are gathered there.

Look in books and magazines or online. The challenge here though, is that many of these materials are written for Mainland audiences. Happily, we have more and more local materials on this fascinating subject.

Many of us here in Hawai'i like for our garden to be productive. As my dad says, "If I can't eat it, don't plant it in my yard." (I planted him a marungay tree so they can eat the leaves, flowers and the roots for horseradish — one of his favorites!)

There are many fruit trees to choose from: mango, lychee, citrus, starfruit, guava, chicle, sapote, jaboticaba and many more. They will give you fruit and shade.

We have many gorgeous flowering trees for beauty and lei-making. Beauty ones include rainbow showers and royal poinciana. Beauty and lei making trees are: Plumeria, puakenikeni, 'ohi'a lehua and native Hawaiian wiliwili and soapberry. Maybe you're into seed lei-making and there are many choice trees for that creative endeavor: again wiliwili and manele, the mgambo or velvet seed and many palms. Palms are a good choice for skinny spaces but they don't give you much shade.

Lots of people have "no time" and ask me to recommend a tree that will give shade, fruit, flowers and "no rubbish." I again point out that people make rubbish, trees make mulch, so use and embrace the mulch! Enjoy raking and avoid the gym! Or let the leaves fall and insulate the soil, conserve water and keep down the weeds.

Size of the tree is probably the biggest concern. A big tree on a small lot is bound to cause problems down the road. Research the size and plan and plant accordingly. Often, especially with fruit trees there are small and even dwarf sizes. Many can grow in pots. I love kalamansi as a choice citrus. It is small, can be grown in a decorative pot (if your yard is really small, if it's a short-term rental, or if your garden is your apartment lanai). The bright orange fruit are very attractive and ono and juicy: they make a mean margarita and are 'ono on fish!

Also, look up. I'm not being lippy here, many people, even landscape architects, fail to look up. Are there overhead wires? Don't plant a big tree under them. Is the roof of your home or lanai overhanging? Are there other plants in your yard or your neighbors' that will interfere with your wonderful new tree?

One of the best references, especially as to size, climate, color and so on, is "Plants for Tropical Landscapes" by Rauch and Weissich.