The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-04-03
The Eucalyptus.

To The Editor Of the Pacific Commercial advertiser
SIR-T read some time ago in the Honolulu papers
a letter from Baron Won Mueller in reference to the
proposed planting of Eucalyptus trees in Nuuanu
valley. AS 1 recollect, the Baron states positively
that these trees, instead of being beneficial, would be
injurious TO the stream, and advises the planting of
certain trees. every one Of which I warrant would be
an utter failure. l would have ignored the commu-
nication Of the Australian Baron aud let his remarks
pass as of no consequence, if there were not matters of
the gravest Importance and Of the most vital cOnse-
quences to the chief city of these Islands affected by
giving heed to the assertions of Baron Won Mueller.
The past has sufficiently demonstrated to the people
and government that something should be and must
be done to restore to Honolulu a full and at all times
accessible supply of water, and that trees are the only
reliable and effective remedy towards this end, is
admitted in every country under the sun. AS far as
botanical science is concerned the Baron may perhaps
stand on the very top of the ladder, for all / know,
but when he speaks of the Eucalyptus trees, l am
loath TO say that he has studied their habits and
peculiarities to very little purpose A man may
have the nomenclature of the worlds botany at his
finger ends and be ignorant about the peculiarities of
one species. Some eight years ago, l imported for
Captain James Makee the first Eucalyptus seed from
Sydney, and 1 dare say have since raised say many
thousands of those trees, and not without being
much interested in them and their habits.
The Eucalyptus when quite young throws out just
above the ground roots that like Rhizomas run along
under the surface Of the soil. while other roots run
down into the ground. The former are destined to
give life to the tree and furnish the necessary supply
of moisture, while the latter serve to keep the tree
erect and solid in the ground. The functions Of the
two sets of roots are quite distinct from each other,
much more so than in any other kind of trees, and
while the life of the tree is not affected by the loss Of
the top or ground roots, the least injury to the side
or surface roots is severely felt. Within ten or fifteen
steps of my present place of writing lies a tree, blown
down some two years ago, quite PROSTATE on the
ground, about 40 feet in length. The top or sup
porting roots were entirely broken of, but the side
roots were only twisted around, and remained. in the
ground, and to-day, not only all the branches
although lying on the ground are in full vigor Of life.
but some young shoots that sprouted near the butt
have attained a height of from IL to 20 feet. Another
instance to demonstrate the various Offices Of the
roots I would add by mentioning that some time ago
Captain Makee found it necessary to cut one Of the
smaller sized side-roots of the largest Eucalyptus tree
On the place. and in an instant every leaf dropped.
in a short time the tree was denuded of leaves. and
il took q long time to recover from an injury that
HOulu HANt a Jul lux II II SuOO Oh my |
kind of forest or fruit tree. Those side-roots are in
full charge of the commissary department., and are
Is greedy and expert foragers as ever General Sher-
mans bummers' were in Georgia. They travel
ong distances in search of water, and while they are
Jupplied with iunumerable fine hair-like ~roOtlets and
they will find their way through some
,revice or nailhole into boxes from two to four inches
.aised above the ground, and in a short time the box
I'll Ia - KbfcLlr 6Iled with n aolid maaa of fhrnua |
as a negroes head with wool. Their consump-
ion of water is very great and almost incredible. If
trees could grow in the Dismal Swamp.
he swamp would disappear, or if the people of New
orleans would plant these trees in the swamp sur
the city and extending towards Lake Pom
hartrain, in ten years. time the swamp would
,ecome dry land and yellow fever would give up its
eign of terror. A lake or any stagnant water must
i've way before the rapacity of these trees; but still
being planted in Nuuanu valley would not only
lot injure the stream. but augment its volume # Uater,
Fhile at the same time their value as timber would
e highly profitable, and 1 make this assertion. Baron
-on Mueller's advice Notwithstanding. because the
ctive roots are creeping along under the surface Of
he soil in quest of water and moisture, and neUer
Glow, and as much as they are abundantly supplied
nth fine fbrous root, as sparingly are the ground
supplied with these implements necessary to the
DESCRIPTION Of moisture.
That these life-sustaining roots are ordered to find
sphere Of activity near the surface. is already
rparent from the form and position Of the leaves of
he tree. The form Of the leaves is somewhat in the
hape of a scimetar or spearhead, running from q
road foundation to a sharp point, while the leaves
dhere to the branches vertically and hang almost
.raight down. By this means nature has enabled
1e roots to receive the least amount Of moisture
lat falls. While in trees with horizontal leaves the
night air or the light mist Of a passing cloud
1ncentrates in drops, which adhere to the leaves
nd unless shaken of by the wind arc partly evapo-
by the sun, the moisture gathering upon the
of the Eucalyptus instantly runs down from
lie oily surface and drops from the point Of the
ayes as from a wa;erspout to the ground, where the
ne roots are ready to receive it. Thus is shown o
ltural and well-ordered connection between roots
row into the ground but follow their natural dispo
ton to extend under the surface of the soil.
The object Of planting trees in Nuuanu valley is to
fill the subterranean cells and reservoirs with the
ater that on a treeless soil runs to waste or is evsp-
-ated before it has time to sink deep into the ground.
is not so much the object to invite rain as to pre-
rye the rain. The bed of the stream is only the
ltural sewer that drains the water from the mount
n slopes, and I hardly should think any one so void
sense, as the Baron supposes US to be, as to plant
trees near the stream to preserve the water.