18 Aug 2017

Quarantines in place in Hawai'i to stop tree fungus spread

From , 5:02 am on 18 August 2017

A Hawai'i-based scientist says strict quarantine procedures have stopped the spread of a disease that kills the state's native 'ōhiʻa trees.

The fungal disease known as Rapid 'ōhiʻa Death has affected around 74-thousand acres of 'ōhi'a forests in the last decade.

It can kill a tree in a matter of days.

There are fears the disease could spread to similar trees in the Pacific, but an expert working on the problem Lisa Keith told Tim Glasgow there's no evidence it has spread beyond the island of Hawai'i.

Staining typical of the disease rapid ōhi'a death.

Staining typical of the disease rapid ōhi'a death. Photo: Supplied / JB Friday