"Coconut Killer"

Scientist wages war on Far North's coconuts - by Daniel Bateman
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
© The Cairns Post

COCONUT palms may be ­symbols of the tropics to many, but a scientist says they are damaging the natural environment and may help spread dengue fever.

Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station director Dr Hugh Spencer has spent the past six years studying the impact the palms have had on native beach vegetation.

He has found the thin 50-100m line of forest that lies between the reef and rainforest - called the littoral zone - is constantly under siege from coconut palms, which edge out native trees, pounding them into submission by constantly dumping fronds and fruit on them. Coconuts that are left to rot on the ground collect water, providing perfect breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying mosquito.

To prevent the palms from conquering the beachfront at Cape Tribulation, Dr Spencer and a small group of volunteers have been regularly removing juvenile palms the only way they know - by hand.

Where there used to be entire groves, native plants such as pandanus and she-oaks are slowly reclaiming the beach. "We're getting very, very good recruitment of natural vegetation," Dr Spencer said. "We've literally removed thousands of coconuts. We're all volunteers. Nobody gets paid in this place. "It basically means that we are protecting and recovering the most endangered of our forest types."

Cairns Regional Council general manager infrastructure services Ross McKim said the council did not have a policy either. But it did have a duty of care denutting palms to reduce the risk of liability. "Council is aware that the removal of coconut palms can be an emotive issue and actively manage the trees that are featured along the foreshores and parks of the region," Mr McKim said.

"Council undertakes denutting and palm frond removal and manage those trees already in place, rather than remove what trees are currently there. "While we are aware that these plants may not be native to Australia, council appreciates these palms play an important part in creating the tropical feel of the region."

Dr Spencer previously took more direct action to eliminate palms from the beachfront by boring holes in a number of palms and poisoning them. The actions angered other locals, who referred to him as a "coconut killer". Dr Spencer said his relationship with his critics appeared to have simmered. "I kind of get the feeling that there is more of a mood of acceptance that they really are a problem," he said. "I get the feeling that is starting to filter though, but I don't have any proof".  "I'm not having many people getting their knickers in a twist about coconuts being removed any more."

Tell us what you think. Do coconut trees have a place in Far North Queensland? Post a comment or vote in the Cairns Post Poll by following this link: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/03/17/99841_local-news.html

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Food for Life

Cactus Island Nursery has partnered up with Nature Pacific to bring you the very best in Coconut Oil Products: Banaban Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Coconut Body Butters, Coconut Cooking Oil, Coconut Massage Oil, Coconut Oil products for your Pets, even Coconut Jig Jig Oil! For a look at all Nature Pacific's great products, just click on the banner below.

Coconuts aren't called the 'Tree of Life' for no reason; their nutritional and health benefits are endless. Not only has coconut oil anit-microbial and anti-viral properties, it is also packed full off medium chain fatty acids, which actually help you lose weight! A statement from Paul Richardson, the inventor of Cocotap "I have to live in the tropics, after years of coconut oil consumption I now have no blubber left".... Medium chain fatty acids speed up your body's metabolism, helping you burn calories. Coconut oil contains a unique form of saturated fat, which improves digestion, strenghtens your immune systems, and protects you against infections.

Look for the proper, unrefined coconut oil, such as the Banaban Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Do not use the the hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oil can actually raise cholesterol levels.

As stated by the Nature Pacific website:

Premium Virgin Oil is extracted from fresh organically grown Fiji coconuts with the least amount of processing so that the natural vitamin E, antioxidants and fresh coconut "essence" are retained.

Nutritional Benefits
* Easy digestibility and absorbable
* Contains Vitamin E
* Composed mainly of short and medium chain fatty acids which have desirable qualities and functions
* Does not contain cholesterol
* Reduced fat accumulation in body
* Easily oxidized and therefore a preferred energy source
* Requires no transport system to absorb, digest and metabolize
* Very low content of Omega 6 fatty acid
* Helps maintain healthy ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids when consumed as a part of diet
* Rich content of lauric acid, the source of disease fighting fatty acid derivative monolaurin
* Contains 6-8 per cent monounsaturated oleic acid
* Inhibitory effect against certain chemical carcinogens
* Superior antigenotoxic activity

Studies undertaken by the Biochemistry Department, University of Kerala showed that coconut oil:
* Does not elevate blood total cholesterol
* Increases blood HDL cholesterol
* Consumed along with coconut kernel lowers blood cholesterol
* Does not elevate LDL cholesterol or LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio
* Decreases serum triglycerides

The recommended therapeutic dose of coconut oil is 3-4 tablespoons a day. So little for so many benefits!

Dwarf Coconut Palms - Backyard Dwarves

Solomon varieties of dwarf coconuts open up possibilities for the backyarder. A recent global survey found 780 described coconut varieties. Many have been developed specifically for certain commercially important traits. Tall varieties represent the majority in commercial production due to a higher copra yield and longer productive lifespan, but the merits of the dwarf varieties are well worth considering, especially for the backyard or small scale production.There were eight dwarf varieties selected from the Solomon Islands and imported by the Townsville council in the early 1980’s. The original plan was to replace some of the tall palms along The Strand with these impressive compact varieties for foreshore stability and tourism appeal. I won’t elaborate on the perceived danger issue but it is said “coconuts have eyes of their own and have long served mankind”.The original Solomon collection has been well maintained and one of the originals, the Malay Golden Dwarf found its way to the far north, with thanks to the old Kamerunga research station in Cairns. There are also a number of the shorter palms, known as village dwarfs, growing around the Cape York Peninsula. They are very compact palms – small enough to grow in containers and bear numerous, small, golden orange fruits, with thin husks and great flavour. Others are the Red Spicata Dwarf, which has a stalk-less fruit attached directly to the main stem of the bunch, a Malay Yellow dwarf which is also very thin husked with medium sized light flavoured fruits, and a Giant Green dwarf, which has a full size crown but extremely compact trunk.
Click here for the full dwarf coconut article written by Paul Richardson from Cocotap

Coconut care - Some hints on establishing your palms

These nuts have been in the post for a couple of days so it will pay to get them out of the packaging and into a tub of half strength mix of liquid fertilizer or at least water, in the shade, as quickly as possible. The nuts were growing in filtered sunlight so will handle full sun when settled in but need at least 50% sun for as much of the day as possible.
The nuts are the most advanced that packaging or State requirements allow. They will gain nutritional benefit from attachment to the nut for about 18months and even longer in sub optimal conditions. Coconuts have a fibrous root system. Each root will develop with equal importance both feeding the plant and anchoring it. No tap root develops.

Click here to read Roger's full coconut care article
Further notes on growing coconuts are available by email from Roger Goebel. Current June 2009, Roger Goebel. To buy dwarf coconut palms visit Cactus Island Online & Mail Order Nursery