Coo-Coo for Coconuts!

    The coconut palm (cocos nucifera), is a far more valuable plant then one may think as they watch them sway in the trade winds. Niu (in Hawaiian) was brought to the islands during the first migrations. The Hawaiian people were able to make use of the trunk, husks and shells, leaves, and fronds by creating sennit (the indestructible, coarse rope from the fibers of the coconut husk) food containers, hula drums, fans, children's toys, rods, tools, and so much more. Not to mention the amazing coconut fruit (botanically known as drupe), which contains high protein and nutritious electrolyte water. 

    Today, these palms are more than just a symbol of the tropics. Coconuts and coco products have become so popular that an estimated 61 million tons of coconuts are produced and distributed throughout the world, each year! Coconuts are being used in the production of just about everything; in the construction industry, beauty products, as a fuel, in/as foods and drinks, even a coconut vodka! An interesting fact about coconuts is that they are more closely related to grass than trees. Flowering plants are divided into two groups; monocotyledon (ex. palms, grasses, bananas, sugar cane, bamboo, pineapple) and dicotyledon (ex. mangoes, ohia, monkeypod, avocado, hibiscus, cookpines). How can you tell? The sprouting seed has one (mono) or two (di) cotyledons, which are the seed leaves. 

    Under optimal weather conditions, coconut palms typically produce around 75 mature fruit per year, but I know some major producing cocos that can do well over a whopping 120 fruits annually! You can expect a coco to start producing fruit at about 6 to 10 years old, live up to 100 years, and grow to 100 feet tall, that’s a lot of coconuts. Gone unattended, coconuts will eventually fall and you don’t want a 3 pound coconut falling out of a 60 foot tree anywhere near you. Ouch! In certain parts of the world, people use trained monkeys to collect coconuts, but since monkeys are in short supply in Hawaii, find a trained professional to climb and trim your palms. By using a spikeless method, tree trimmers are able to get to the top with minimal harm to the palm. Other methods using climbing spikes are not desirable as any holes left by spikes leave the palm susceptible to pests and pathogens that can shorten its lifespan, as well as, leave unsightly, scarred trunks. Coconut palms do not have secondary growth like trees that can compartmentalize wounds, so once there is a breach in the trunks epidermis and vascular bundles within, the damage is forever. 

    Coconuts are amazing plants, like the old proverb says, ”He who plants a coconut, plants vessels and clothing, food and drink, habitation for himself, and a heritage for his children.” So next time you have a chance to sit down for a couple of minutes, admire and appreciate one.