PHILIPPINE NATIONAL TREE.

NARRA tree (Pterocarpus Indicus) - there are two forms enumerated in Justo P. Rojo's book, Revised LEXICON OF PHILIPPINE TREES.

- Narra (Pterocarpus Indicus forma Indicus) with smooth seed pods
- Prickly Narra (Pterocarpus Indicus forma Echinatus) with prickly seed pods

Both recognized forms are highly regarded as ornamental trees and prized for their much sought lumber to be used as furniture, construction and decorative elements for houses or decorative items which require the use of wood. Although I believe that there may be other forms which we may not be aware of. Some species possess characteristics of having broad leaves, narrow small leaves, upright acute stems, drooping stems, whitish-yellowish-orange-red colored lumber and even flowers may differ from yellow variants to orange colored flowers. I have even heard of a local from Laguna speak of a Narra tree called "Puting Narra" or white Narra tree, which is very fast growing in my observation compared to others. Whichever it is, I hope that experts will be able to distinguish and classify them accordingly since it is our National Tree.

The Narra tree is an indigenous tree. This means that it is also native and can be found in other countries as well. Does this mean that other countries can also declare it as their national tree? There are endemic (found only in a specific area or country) trees that can be found in the Philippines that deserve equal or higher recognition than the narra tree such as the White and Red Lauan, Mangkono and Bagras, but why is Narra still our national tree? The only reason I can think of is because the Narra tree can be found throughout the Philippines, it is an ornamental tree that produce clusters of bright yellow or orange flowers and that it is a widely used lumber especially in the furniture industry.

In your opinion, is the Narra tree deserving to be our Philippine National Tree? Please share your comments and suggestions below.

TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL?

Do you have insect problems in your garden? Should we be spraying insecticide and pesticides in order to control these pesky critters? Do they cause more harm than good?.......These are the usual questions I ask myself when seeing insects eating up leaves from my plants and trees. Probably they like my plants so much, because my plants are free from harmful chemicals and artificial fertilizers.

Most of the time, I usually observe butterfly and moth caterpillars munching away with leaves from my seedlings. It really bothers me because some of the seedlings are below 1 feet and still, caterpillars are already damaging the leaves. As much as possible, I just let these insects go their way since butterflies and moths are beneficial in pollinating flowers from the trees, thus helping the trees produce fruits for us and other creatures and organisms as well. After all, all living creature and organisms deserve to live and that every living thing has a purpose here on Earth. But sometimes enough is enough because I have to set limitations especially if the particular seedling that is under attack is in grave danger........ Alangan naman pabayaan ko mamatay yung seedling ko at ubusin na lang ang mga dahon? If this is the case, then I just pick up or remove the caterpillars from the plant and transfer them to other similar plants or if not, I kill them or feed them to the fish.

I'm not a fan of chemical pesticide or insecticides since these things are very harful to our skin, when inhaled, when eaten due to the residue that is still intact with our vegetables and fruits and the like........ Ito ang dahilan kaya ang daming tao na ngayon ang may sakit lalo na ang may cancer.

Nowadays, I am trying to use a natural method that is suppose to keep plants and soil rich and healthy. It incorporates the use of beneficial microorganism that live in the soil and hasten the decomposition of organic materials to be directly used and absorbed by plants. I am talking about soil inoculation, effective microorganisms (EM) and bokashi. I will be discussing these topics in the future so please keep attuned with my blogs.

TRUE MODERN HEROES ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE.

This weblink is another example that I want to share you with. Whenever I see something like this, I feel that there is dedication, heart, love, concern, compassion and hope.

Education is key so please watch and listen to what educated persons have to say, because we will definitely learn a thing or two from their experiences.

TED TALKS - Nalini Nadkarni on conserving the canopy


Thank you for giving time to read what I have to say and for watching the video.

Q&A: What native Philippine tree to plant when starting up a RAINFORESTATION PROJECT? .... KUPANG (Parkia Timoriana) is what I would suggest.

In my opinion, I would suggest "KUPANG" with scientific name Parkia Timoriana (also known as P. Javanica) as ONE OF THE BEST PHILIPPINE NATIVE SPECIES TO PLANT WHEN STARTING A RAINFORESTATION PROJECT. This is due to the following reasons:

Fast growing. This pioneer tree will be able to give ample sun and shade to other shade loving premium forest trees growing under it.

Leguminous tree. It is able to fix its own nitrogen requirements with the help from a soil bacteria called rhizobium that live within the roots of leguminous plants and trees, thus it can grow with even the poorest type of soil. The roots together with its fallen leaves will provide nitrogen that will be beneficial for other trees within its proximity, bringing back soil fertility that was lost from continued harvesting of crops.

Sun loving and shade tolerant. It is able to grow under full sunlight and is also able to adjust under shaded areas, therefore this tree will still thrive under opposite conditions.

Easy Access. Seedlings are readily available at the Manila Seedling Bank. Since the tree is able to produce numerous seeds within seedpods, there will always be a steady supply of seedlings to grow. A fairly common tree especially in Metro Manila, Laguna and other parts of the country.

High germination rate and good viability of seeds upon long storage. Some seeds that I have stored for two years now are still germinating upto today when sowed.

Unreceptive to pests and diseases and will easily outgrow grass and vines. I think that this is a common characteristic that leguminous tree species share and possess. They are very hardy especially when established in full sun.

Branches are flexible and strong enough from wind breakage. Branches and trunk seem to sway whenever there are strong winds. It can hold its stance and never have I seen it topple down or break its limb. However, I must admit that I haven't seen a mature Kupang tree under the mercy of a strong typhoon. (will follow-up on this issue upon confirmation)

Medicinal. I have read that the bark and leaves of this tree is made into a poultice and applied to skin infections and sores. The bark is also used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Seeds are said to treat persistent abdominal pain.

Edible. According to some literature, the pods and seeds are edible. Although I haven't tried it, I will certainly welcome the idea of tasting this delicacy. Roasted seeds are used in Africa similar to coffee called Soudan coffee.

Source of lumber. The lumber from this tree is often used for light construction.

The Tree of Life

In the Philippines, "the tree of life" known as the Coconut palm tree is part of our everyday life. All of its parts, from the leaves, fruit, husk, sap, trunk and even the roots are utilized to make various household / commercial / agricultural products, lumber and most importantly as food and drink.

I am not certain of it's origin because some say that it is native to southern or tropical asia, which we are definitely a part of, but some literature such as the "Revised LEXICON OF PHILIPPINE TREES" by Justo P. Rojo has indicated this tree to be an introduced species to our country. All I can say is that it has been a significant part of our country especially to our daily lives.

In Laguna particularly San Pablo City wherein the main produce of the province is the Coconut fruit (buko, niyog and copra is as synonymous to the famous rambutan and lanzones), it is being cut down to be used as coco lumber. What was once a forest that have been replaced with vast plantations of coconut trees and banana plants are now dwindling further into insignificant use of land or plantations.

I have noticed that since my regular trips to this area for five years now the local people there have been cutting coconut trees without giving much thought as to the adverse effects of their acts........ How can i be sure of this you ask me? It is because of the sound of the chainsaw that I usually hear from neighboring lands during random visits to my family's property, then seeing coco lumber piled up on the side road or smoke rising up to the sky. It is sad that the cut trees are not replaced with new seedlings, thus it is inevitable that all will be lost in due time.

Furthermore, it is very sad that the locals who rely on the remaining coconut plantations are the same people who destroy the very source of their own livelihood. How stupid is that?

RAINFORESTATION.......THE WAY TO GO.

RAINFORESTATION, this is a term that I first heard and read from a pamphlet and VCD (video compact disk) as visual aid provided to me by Ms. Ruth Condeno of Haribon Foundation, when I first inquired about Philippine native forest trees, last quarter of 2004. It is a term derived from REFORESTATION, but departs from the conventional way of farming such as monoculture, wherein pure stands of specific type of tree, usually the Gmelina or Mahogany is planted in a single area to be used as a source of lumber.

RAINFORESTATION emphasizes on planting different species of endemic/indigenous Philippine trees in order to provide a diverse ecosystem for both flora and fauna thus providing a haven for conservation and at the same time being able to manage vast tracks of land gearing towards a sustainable resource for our society.

RAINFORESTATION eliminates competition from the trees since different trees require different nutrients from the soil. It prevents the spreading of disease and pest because specific disease or pest would require specific trees as well. The best thing is that native trees are adapted and well suited to our environment, thus they are accustomed to weather, seasonal climate change and that they grow very fast especially in their native origin.

RAINFORESTATION simulates the natural environment provided by a true forest unique to an area or country, so it is as close as bringing back the natural forest.

RAINFORESTATION is the way to go in order to PROTECT ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE PHILIPPINES. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL ASLO RETURN THE NATURAL EQUILIBRIUM OF THE WORLD, WHICH WE HUMANS HAVE DISRUPTED.

TRUE ENOUGH, SUPER TYPHOON PEPENG IS COMING TO TOWN.

SUPER TYPHOON PEPENG (PARMA) IS COMING TOO SOON. I HAVE ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING, TYPHOONS WITH STRONGER MAGNITUDE ARE TO BE EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE. BUT WAS NOT EXPECTING IT TO BE COMING SO EARLY AND JUST BARELY A WEEK HAVE PASSED SINCE TYPHOON ONDOY HIT AND DEVASTATED MANILA AND OTHER PARTS OF LUZON, PHILIPPINES.

I RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM MY COUSIN A FEW HOURS AGO THAT WROTE, "Landfall saturday afternoon. East of samar now at 175kph to 210 gusts and will hit northern luzon at super typhoon strength (around 240kph). Pagasa asking people to pass the word already and prepare". (1-Oct-2009)(16:25:27)

ANOTHER TEXT MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND OF MINE THAT WROTE, "Dearest friends and family, this just in from cnn. The coming storm is now a category 5 supertyphoon. Expected landfall is late friday or early saturday. Path is through northern luzon. We can only pray and prepare as it is the strongest category. Please warn ur loved ones in that area while still early. Let's also hope and pray it takes a different course. Please spread the word. God bless the Philippines!". (1-Oct-2009)(21:26:27)

. . . . . . . . . . DO I NEED TO SAY WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO PREVENT OR LESSEN THESE SORT OF CALAMITIES IN THE FUTURE? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ACT? NOW WILL BE THE RIGHT TIME.