News & Events

November 12, 2014

Evaluation of wood quality in short rotation, plantation grown koa

Twenty-year old koa trees grown at HARC Maunawili on Oahu (400 ft. elevation) were harvested and sent to a large tone-wood timber buyer in Washington State (see picture below). Trees were approximately 22” diameter at breast height. The logs were milled and the buyer was very pleased with the wood quality, thus illustrating the demand for plantation grown koa. The ability to produce highly figured, instrument grade logs on 20-30 year rotations is unprecedented in forestry, and offers a unique opportunity for Hawaii.