Thursday, September 2, 2010

PHILIPPINE NEEM TREE.

Reaching rapid heights and one of the fastest pioneer tree species is the Bagalunga (Melia dubia synonymous to Melia composita) from the family Meliaceae. It's english name according to the book, A Pictorial Cyclopedia of Philippine Ornamenal Plants by Dr. Domingo Madulid is known as the Philippine neem tree. In association with the "neem", known to be an effective natural insecticide, I haven't noticed any pests or diseases in association with this species, which makes it a very good candidate for rainforestation projects.

The tallest tree that I've seen so far is about 20-25 meters in height. A few branches may subject to breakage due to strong winds caused by typhoons, but so far, no tree specimen of mine has toppled down. Another important thing is that this tree will make a good nurse tree for germinating potted seeds and seedlings as it will provide filtered light under its shade.

34 comments:

selah said...

where can I find a Neem tree here in the Philippines?

Anonymous said...

what part of the philippines is neem tree abundant?

Rico said...

Selah, the sure and nearest place to Manila where you can find Bagalunga is UPLB, near the Forestry department. I don't think I have observed this species in Manila.

Anonymous said...

saan po pwedeng makahanap ng libro tungkol sa neem? yong 2000 up lang po na published. salamat po

Rico said...

Anonymous, sorry, di ko alam ang sagot sa tanong mo.

Ryanyeye said...

Meron po ba nito sa visayas ?

Rico said...

Ryanyeye, kung di ako nagkakamali may nakitaan na nga ako dati sa Visayas region.

Anonymous said...

ano po ba sa bisaya or sa tagalog ang neem tree?

Rico said...

bagalunga

Anonymous said...

Mga taga Leyte,
is Neem Tree the Libas as we called it?

Anonymous said...

My alam.po.b kau plantation.ng neem.leaves?.
Ung along nueva.ecija.lng

.slamat po

Anonymous said...

I have seen neem trees everywhere in Metro Manila. My friend in San Juan has it at her house. I've seen it in a few places in Taguig. If you just look closely when you travel in the Metro you will see them. They're not rare

Unknown said...

helow ask ko lang kung available ba yung neem sa mga herbs vendor tnx

Unknown said...

available po ba ito sa mga herbs botic

Anonymous said...

where can I buy NEEM Tree seedlings?

Anonymous said...

Where can I buy NEEM Tree seedlings?

Rico said...

Currently, our stocks of Bagalunga have outgrown their plastic pots. Will inform interested parties here if in case there are stocks available. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Naghahanap po ako ng dahon ng neem. Saan po kaya pwed makakuha nito?

Rico said...

Anonymous, pwede ko ba malaman kung bakit niyo kailangan ng dahon ng neem tree at kung san n'yo ito gagamitin? Exotic neem tree ba hanap n'yo or yung native nating neem dito sa Pinas?

Chad said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
al said...

saan po pwede makakuha ng neem tree here in manila?

Unknown said...

Good day po sir rico :) taga tarlac city po aq, holy tree o miracle tree po ba ung neem tree?

Unknown said...

Good day sir rico :) tanong ko po ano pang ibang tawag s neem tree? ( holy tree at miracle tree po ba? ) .. taga tarlac city po ako. Thank u

Unknown said...

Good day po sir rico :) taga tarlac city po aq, holy tree o miracle tree po ba ung neem tree?

Rico said...

Jocelyn Rosales-calma, in my experience, several local names might occur to a certain plant or tree species in a given country such as the Philippines comprising several dialects from different ethnic groups and minorities. For example, a fruiting tree with the local official name Kalumpit, having a scientific name Terminalia microcarpa is also known as "alupi, kalurig, and kalusit in Ibanag; anagep, kantit and kalautit in Ilokano; baho, baraus and kamaris in Tagbanua; balisayin, basal, malagaki, dalinsi and kalamay in Tagalog; bango in Manobo; basi and gisit in Itneg; bisi, disi and kalaotit in Gaddang, buluang in Bisaya; gayumayen in Sambali; kalomagon, kalumangog and kotmok in Bikol; kalomaog, lumanog, magtalisay and tayataya in Panay Bisaya; kalupi in Negrito and Ibanag; kalupit in Iloko and Negrito; and lumangog in Samar-Leyte Bisaya." (Promising Fruits of the Philippines by Coronel)

It would be practical to apply such names if you were in a certain place and you know how locals call it, but if you used a different name, then it could also be interpreted as a different plant/tree or something totally different and non-related.

I am not really familiar with the term Miracle Tree, but upon googling the word, it seems that it is also refered to as Neem tree to some sources and Malunggay or Moringa oleifera to others. Likewise, if you have heard of the name Miracle fruit or Miracle berry, most would associate it with Synsepalum dulcificum.

The reasons above is why it is so important for us to know and pertain to the scientific name whether it be a plant or fauna, so that we can be sure that we are pertaining to the same thing.

Anonymous said...

Good day! sir, dba pwede po yung neem leaf png gamot sa diabetes? San po ba meron nun? TIA

Unknown said...

hi Sir, I am from Calamba, is UPLB selling seedlings po nito? puede po ba grafted para mas maliit? medyo mahirap po kasi if sobrang laki ng tree. Sir, pa email naman po ko if possible, anne_christy.ramones@atmel.com

Rico said...

Unknown, as far as I know, UPLB is not propagating nor sellling any kind of Neem tree........ To be sure, please contact them and inquire.

Yes you may graft trees or plants. As far as I know, the rootstock and scion should be of the same genus to be successful.

If you do not want your tree to grow big, the simplest solution that I can advise you is to prune your tree.


Unknown said...

Native talaga ung neem tree, nong maliit pa aq meron yan sa tabing ilog sa amin,natandaan ko yon pala yon ang neem tree malaking kahoy xa, pero now wala na mahalagang punong kahoy pala yon... Magtalisay ang tawag ng Lolo ko sa amin sa Mindanao.

Unknown said...

Native talaga ung neem tree, nong maliit pa aq meron yan sa tabing ilog sa amin,natandaan ko yon pala yon ang neem tree malaking kahoy xa, pero now wala na mahalagang punong kahoy pala yon... Magtalisay ang tawag ng Lolo ko sa amin sa Mindanao.

Rico said...

Hi Betelou Barros! There is a confusion with regards to the local name given to our Philippine native trees. I am not familiar with the name Magtalisay. As diverse our culture, dialect and race is, so is the local name given to each plant or tree, depending on what province or place it is found.

Magtalisay could either be synonymous to the Bagalunga tree name or it can be a totally different tree species.

If you have the book, Philippine Native Trees 202, you can verify the featured Bagalunga tree bearing the leaves and flowers that would remind you of your childhood tree.

Thanks for posting here.

Unknown said...

Ito rin ba ung specie na neem tree na ginagamit n insectiside.. na pang treat sa scabies ng aso?

Unknown said...

Ito rin ba ung specie na neem tree na ginagamit n insectiside.. na pang treat sa scabies ng aso?

Unknown said...

saan po pwde makabili ng neem tree? im near in quezon city po..urgent po kc for school greenery advocacy po namin..

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