Albizia Control Workshops Set for April 12, May 10

More workshops have been scheduled to teach members of the community methods of controlling albizia trees.

The latest being held by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee will be held on April 12 and May 10 at the 500-acre Albizia Demonstration Project at the Black Sands subdivision near Kalapana.

Both workshops are on Saturdays, and run from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Participants in the workshops will learn albizia control procedures developed by the University of Hawaii and US Forest Service. They include estimating tree height and the incision-point application method used for killing “non-hazard” albizia trees, which are those located at least 100 feet away from homes or roads.

The method ulitizing a specialty herbicide causes the tree to drop its leaves with weeks and crumble over the following two years. According to the BIISC, the method does not disturb surrounding foliage which preserves a natural shield to prevent more albizia seeds from taking root.

Albizia trees are shown dead and dying after being treated with herbicide. BIISC photo.

The demonstration project is designed to further efforts to control the highly invasive alibizia, a fast-growing and brittle tree that overwhelms native forests and threatens homes and property.

Participants will meet at a tent at the corner of Ocean View Parkway and Aloha Road, which is reached by taking a right on One`ele Road from Highway 130.

Space is limited, so participants are urged to sign up by emailing [email protected] by April 9 for this month’s workshop and by May 7 for the following one.

The public is invited, although volunteers under 18 years old must have parental consent.

Participants are asked to wear sturdy shoes, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, hat, bug repellent and sunscreen. Gloves, hatchets, herbicide, safety gear, hand-washing station and refreshments will be provided.

For information, contact BIISC Outreach Coordinator Dayva Keolanui at [email protected].