Tree Planting at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge --the Right Tool for the Right Stock Type

Abstract

Two species of trees, koa (Acacia koa) and 'ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), are important for reforestation of degraded lands within Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the Big Island of Hawai'i, USA. These species require quite different growing containers and subsequently different planting tools. While dibbles are used for koa planting, a gasoline-powered auger, described briefly herein, is preferred for 'ohi'a and other understorey species. Auger planting is more than 2.5 times faster than planting by hand.