According to the Hawaiian arborist Steve Nimz, the Lahaina Banyan tree has a chance of survival with triage[1]." The fallen pitch pine was never given such a chance.
Fallen Pitch Pine at Calverton Ponds Preserve in the Long Island Pine Barrens
Written by Mindy Block, Quality Parks Founder & President
I didn't think we'd get wildfire smoke like LA, then came the Canadian wildfires. I didn't thin we'd ever experience a western fire, then we had the 1999 wildfire season. And I never thought a whole village would be destroyed, and now there is Lahaina (and Paradise, Oregon, in 2018). My area of focus in on post rehab. A background, there was a recent fire at the Calverton Ponds Preserve in June, 2023. Lack of rain set up a fire situation where bulldozers created fire breaks. The following month I arrived on the scene dismayed. There is still no procedure in place to restore from dozer lines, and that why I created this donation campaign. Any donation amount wild be greatly appreciated.
The Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree is of cultural importance [2], being the enlightenment tree of Buddha, as well as gifted to the Lahaina community 150 years ago from India.
Healthy Banyan Tree
Photo by Fallon Michael
Post fire, the Lahaina Banyan Tree (as explained by Steve Nimz) takes second place to protecting life and property, as is also true in the LI Pine Barrens. However, their fire rehab response, what he calls "triage," is much more advanced. His group is monitoring, watering, aerating the soils to break up compaction, adding micronutrient rich compost tea for new root growth encouragement, and layering compost mulch as blanket for exposed soils. As long as the inner cambium layer is alive and sap is flowing the tree is surviving. It's in a coma he says; come back to me in three to six months for a report.
The Pitch Pine
The pitch pine is symbol of the Long Island Pine Barrens, our aquifer, our wilderness, and within is the Calverton Ponds Preserve especially rare and fragile.
As for Long Island? Nothing is being done: one month out since the Calverton Ponds Preserve Fire (see photos below) and learn more about differences between fire impacts and natural fire effects, by reviewing rehab dozer lines.
So why aren't we doing post fire triage? That's a complex question based on my experiences as a firefighter, citizen, and conservationist [3]. Help make a difference by making a contribution today.
References
[1] - Esteemed arborist Steve Nimz gives update on Lahaina's Banyon tree
[2] - Scorched in Maui wildfire, Lahaina's historic banyan tree clings to life
[3] - Based on recent personal communications, and author of Sunrise Fire.
[1] - Esteemed arborist Steve Nimz gives update on Lahaina's Banyon tree
[2] - Scorched in Maui wildfire, Lahaina's historic banyan tree clings to life
[3] - Based on recent personal communications, and author of Sunrise Fire.
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