Blog Archives - THE OUTDOOR CIRCLE

Exceptional Tree Catalog

12/13/2016

'Ala'a - Pouteria sandwicensis

12/11/2016

Large endemic tree.
Provided sticky latex used to catch birds.
Feathers were made into feather lei and cloaks for the ali’I (royalty).
Hard wood was used for canoes, handles of digging tools, spears, and in construction.
Yellow and green berries.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Alani – Melicope anisate

12/9/2016

Shrub or multitrunked small tree ranging in height from 6-25 ft.
Bark is smooth and grey-green.
Groups of 1 to 3 flowers from at base to leaves.
Native only to Kaua’i.

Source: (NTBC, 2016)

Albizia – Albizia procera

12/8/2016

Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr (Wiki Commons)

Grow up to 125 ft.
Introduced to Hawaii shortly after WWI.
First recorded planting in 1925.
Flower is cream white.
Wood is used for canoes and shields.

Source: (Majesty II,1991)

Native to the Moluccas, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Highly invasive in wet areas where it can quietly dominate the canopy.

Source: (Wakeman, 2008)

Allspice – Pimenta dioica

12/7/2016

Image Source: Victor Engel (Wiki Commons)

Grows up to 50 ft.
From West Indies and Central America.
Foliage is highly fragrant.
Black, purple fruit.
Dried fruit produces the allspice of commerce.

Source: (Rauch, 2000)

It is also native and introduced to Hawaii.
Mainly used for ornamental purposes for its trunk, leaves, and fragrant blossoms.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Whitish grey bark that peels in thin sheets.
Fruit is harvested while immature when it is most strongly flavored.
Eugenol oil is used for tooth aches and as a digestive aid.

Source: (NTBG, 2016)

Banuyo - Wallaceodendron celebicum

12/6/2016

Endemic to Malaysia.
Tropical coastal ands inland rain forest are the most common habitats.
Named for Russel Wallace who was a British explorer, zoologist, and botanist.
Wood can be used for flooring, furniture, and cabinet making.
Seeds are in individual closed envelopes.

(Source: KRBG, 2016)

Baobab Tree – Adansonia digitate

12/5/2016

Native location is the semi- aride areas of Africa such as Kenya and to the northern parts of the Republic of South Africa.
Dominates landscape with 100 ft bulging trunk and huge canopy.
In some parts of Africa, they are worshipped and their trunks are used for burial.
Seed pulp and leaves are eaten as vegetable dishes. The fruit is the base for a cooling drink.
Bark has medicine properties.
Elephants destroy these trees in times of drought to get the watery pulp at the base of the trunk.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Native to tropical and drier regions of Africa.
Deciduous tree, smooth bark, extremely wide circumference.
White flowers on long stalks that have 5 petals.
Also known as upside down tree.
Extremely old ages are associated with this tree, which are being dated to 1,275 years old.

Source: (KRBG)

Called bottle tree or dead rat tree.
Originates from Central Africa.
Medicine derived from bark and oil.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Africa legend claims that the baobab asked God to be replanted in the cool mountains instead of the hot plains. God moved the baobab to the mountains, but the baobab didn’t like it there either and begged to go back. God was irritated and returned the baobab back to the plains upside down.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Blue Mexican Fig- Ficus petiolaris

12/4/2016

Other common name is rock fig.
Usually between 18-27 ft. tall.
Occasionally harvested for medicinal purposes as well as timber, gum, and fiber.
Native to Mexico.
It is commonly found growing in rocky areas.
Depends on a specific type of wasp to pollinate in order to keep breeding.
Strong roots have been used by natives in making suspension bridges.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Bo Tree (Peepul) - Ficus religiosa

12/3/2016

Image Source: Ji-elle (Wiki Commons)

Buddha achieved enlightenment beneath a Bo tree.
Native to India and sacred to Hindus.
Believed it to be home to goddess Bhawani, who can bestow fertility.
They have long stemmed, heart-shaped leaves.

Source: (Majesty I, 1982)

Also known as Peepul tree and it is a great sin to cause destruction to these trees.
Fibers were formerly extracted for paper.
All parts of trees have medicinal properties.

Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

Sacred fig in Thailand and Pakistan.

Source: (Wageman, 2008)

Brazil Nut - Bertholletia excelsa

12/2/2016

Image Source: mauroguanandia (commons.wikimedia)

Image Source: Golgher (commons.wikimedia)

Native to Amazon Basin in South America.
Thick walled seed pods.
Leathery, bright green leaves.
Cream colored flowers.
Can grow up to 150 ft. tall.
Very rare in the islands.

(Source: Majesty I, 1982)

Large evergreen tree.
Its seed is one of the most commonly consumed one in the world.
Bark of trees can be used for medicinal purposes.
Oil from seeds can be applied to burns.

(Source: UTP, 2014)

Brazilian Fern - Schizolobium parahyba

12/1/2016

Native to South America.
Deciduous tree with a wide-spreading, flat topped crown.
Can grow up to 60-105 ft.
One of the fastest growing trees in the world.
Their habitat is mainly in the Atlantic rainforest.
Very good for restoring land establishing woodland gardens.

(Source: (UTP, 2014)

Image Source: Mauroguanandi (commons.wikimedia)