===== Tree Guidelines pertaining to the pā māla ma Nā Māla Kaiāulu o Mānoa. =====

==== What is a tree? ====

For the purposes of the Mānoa Community Garden, the category of "tree" includes trees and/or other potentially tall growing plants with deep and/or extensive root systems.

The tree committee has established three main categories of plants:

  - Non-trees (plants that are not trees)
  - Trees (plants that are trees)
  - Potential Trees (plants that can potentially grow into trees, but can also be maintained as a shrub)

[needs confirmation] Category 3: Potential Trees are a subcategory of Category 2: Trees. However, assuming the new rule passes, these trees will most likely populate the list of "[[acceptable-trees|acceptable trees]]" that can be, upon the granting of permission, planted in the ground within garden plots.

==== Conditions for Planting Category 3 Potential Trees in the Ground ====

  * Requires the gardener to request permission from [the Board? the monitoring committee? the tree committee?] and acknowledge that they have read the guidelines and agree to follow them.
  * Must be a plant that is on the [[acceptable-trees|acceptable trees]] list.
  * Trunk diameter/circumference : Preliminary recommendation is 2.5"/8"(20cm).
  * Distance from bricked walkways : Preliminary recommendation is 4 feet.
  * Existing overall 5 foot height limit applies, measured from the brick pavers upward.
  * Agreement to remove plants from the ground once they no longer conform to guidelines, ie. once they turn from "potential trees" into "actual trees."

[needs confirmation] It is possible that, depending on how easy it is to maintain the list and/or monitor the garden, different parameters can apply to different plants.

==== Guideline Agreement ====

This will restate the guidelines. Include a statement that once a potential tree turns from a shrub into a tree, the gardener will be in violation of the rules. Maybe something about repeat offenses for height violations (this would determine that the gardener was not a responsible shrub maintainer). Removal of tree is required to not be in violation of the rules. Et cetera. Should be translated into multiple languages.

==== Mediation ====

[needs confirmation] If a gardener wants to plant a "tree" that is not on the list, they can appeal to the Board, who will ask the tree committee to blah blah blah. Et cetera. The tree committee will stick to guidelines for types of trees, and not deal with the actions of specific gardeners, which is the kuleana of the monitoring committee.