Kiawe (Prosopis pallida) This is a common tree
throughout Hawaii, but it is considered an invasive
species. It has small thorns, but there is also a
kiawe shrub/small tree (P. juliflora) that has much
longer thorns. As kids growing up in Hawaii,
we learned very quickly to stay out of the kiawe
trees and shrubs if we weren't wearing shoes.
Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis)
These trees are very popular in Southern
California, but with the steady march of Fusarium
wilt, a fatal fungal disease for date palms, their
time is passing. It won't be long until stands like
these become rare and will need special care.
www.urban-forestry.com 31
