Sunday, September 12, 2010

Pushing native trees to their limit.

This particular site is within the compounds of an undeveloped subdivision in Laguna, which has been cleared and leveled to make way for open lots that has been left for years now. It shows one side of the perimeter fence, about 100 linear meters more or less that still contain remnants of growing vegetation of endemic and indigenous trees and plants.

Two pictures merged into one to create that continuous stretch of vegetation to simulate a panoramic image closest to the actual site. Of course the road on the left and rightmost part have been distorted.

Enumerated species that I found growing in close proximity with each other are the following: Bignai-pugo; Bignai sp.; Pinka-pinkahan; Bagauak; Bayag-usa; Alim; Igyo; Antipolo; Kalios; Amugis; Apatot or Bankoro sp; Hauili; Anubing; Pagsahingin; Kaong; Is-is or Ficus sp.; Bagauak sp.; Ginger sp. and a few unknown species.

The property at the opposite and adjacent to this perimeter fence is a private lansones and coconut plantation. With so little space left for native Philippine trees to grow and with the growing need for timber and charcoal needs, I don't know how long our native flora and fauna will last.

The picture above shows half of the area of the subdivision which is leveled off and has not yet been built with infrastructure. The perimeter area is still indicative that native trees abound. At least for now, they are somehow left alone.

But should this be the case? As an architect, designer, conservationist, and a plant hobbyist, my advice is to assess and carefully survey the natural beauty of a particular property or area. It is obvious that mature endemic trees flourished in this vast open land and that they should have been integrated with the design of the landscaping. Trees are a part of our lives. Please don't take them out of the picture!

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