Koa wilt Koa wilt Koa wilt is a relatively new disease to Hawaii, discovered in 1980. Koa wilt is caused by a forma specialis of the fungus "Fusarium oxysporum", which is now abundant in Hawaiian soils and infects the native Acacia koa tree, a once-dominant species in the canopy of Hawaiian forests. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. koae is believed to have been brought into Hawaii on an ornamental acacia plant. Fusarium fungi clog the tree xylem, causing significant wilt and mortality among these beautiful and iconic Hawaiian trees. The host for Koa wilt is Acacia koa, a tree that is native and endemic
Acacia melanoxylon 20%. It may also be used for producing decorative veneers. The tree's twigs and bark are used to poison fish as a way of fishing. This tree can also be used as a fire barrier plant, amongst other plants, in rural situations Plain and figured Australian blackwood is used in musical instrument making (in particular guitars, drums, Hawaiian ukuleles, violin bows and organ pipes), and in recent years has become increasingly valued as a substitute for koa wood. Acacia melanoxylon Acacia melanoxylon, commonly known as the Australian blackwood, is an "Acacia" species native in South eastern Australia. The species is