WAILUKU The rainbow shower trees on Baldwin Avenue, a number of rare native trees at D.T. Fleming Arboretum and a jacaranda that's become a Makawao landmark are among the county's newest "exceptional trees."
The Maui County Council on Tuesday approved adding 10 entries to the list of Exceptional Trees of Maui County, a designation that protects the trees from being cut down or significantly altered. The council also approved removing some trees from the list that had died or were diseased beyond repair.
Kula resident Harlan Hughes, who also serves on the Maui County Arborist Committee that nominates exceptional trees, said he was delighted the California pepper tree on his property was accepted for the list.
The tree was planted in 1957 by Jack and Loraine Claytor at the first home built on Lower Kimo Drive and has grown to more than 50 feet high, with a crown spread of 85 feet.
"I love it," Hughes said. "It's a beautiful, beautiful tree."
Other exceptional trees added to the list include:
- Eighty-five rainbow shower trees along a seven-mile stretch of Baldwin Avenue starting half a mile above Hana Highway and ending below A'ala Place. The trees were planted by Ethel Baldwin and later by Mayor Hannibal Tavares.
- A 60-foot-high jacaranda tree on the property of Peter and Kathy Baldwin on Hanamu Road in Makawao. Its 103-foot violet crown is a favorite subject of local artists and photographers.
- The 90-year-old true kamani tree fronting the Old Hana School. The tree stands 31 feet high, with a crown spread of 101 feet.
- A 30-foot-high kiawe tree at the ocean's edge off Honoapiilani Highway near Milepost 11, with three distinctive branches that extend over the water.
- A number of trees at the D.T. Fleming Arboretum owned by Martha Vokrodt Moran in Kanaio, including two 65-foot 'ohe trees, a 25-foot 'ala'a tree, a 25-foot loulu tree and two 70-foot podocarpus trees planted by D.T. Fleming. Also on the list at the arboretum is a 20-foot alani tree planted in 1953 from seeds gathered on the Auwahi slopes of Haleakala.
Started in 1991, the county's list of exceptional trees also includes the monkey pod tree at Kaahumanu Church, the avenue of royal palms at the entrance to Lahainaluna High School and the 137-year-old banyan whose 225-foot crown shades Lahaina Courthouse Square.
Under county law, anyone who cuts down, mutilates or injures an exceptional tree can face a $1,000 fine or even jail time.
* Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com
