Research Information RISE Series on Ecosystems IVol. 23 No. 1 January - APril20111

Lesser-used Indigenous Species of Important Uses

and

ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU Department of Environment and Natural Resources College 4031, Laguna RISE TASK FORCE FOREWORD

From various literatures we have known the expanse of forest species in the ; this includes, those that are called lesser used species. However, in most cases, the usefulness of these - 4esser used species have been down played because people still prefer the commercial species which are believed to have better values.

Asst. Team Leader 'There is a need to review this notion about lesser used species. and Editor Today,these species are being looked into as alternatives for reforestation or afforestation and conservation because these are endemic in the Ms. Liberty E. Asis area and therefore growth and survival is assured. Further, the wise Ms. Marla V. Cambay us~Jesser used species and timber of smaller diameter could lessen dependence on the commonly known hard and softwood trees. Dr. Elpidio F. Rimando Information on lesser used trees are featured in this RISE issue Dr. Rafael 1. Cadiz in order that tree farmers and plantation owners can st8ft. to study the Ms. Maria P. Dayan value of these species.

Also in this issue, Mindoro pine is one of the endemic coniferous species in the Philippines. Quite different from the pine that is thriving in the Cordilleras and its cool climate, Mindoro pine is valued as the most tropical of all . In the Philippines, the species can be Ms. Carmelita G. Reyes found in Mindoro and Zambales provinces. Ms. Flora B. Palicpic The wood of Mindoro pine caters to various uses. It can be used for pulp and paper, furniture, fancy panels as well as for light construction materials.

We invite our readers to study these species and consider growirlg them for propagation in the nurseries and eventually, for tree planting activities.

tAL C. AMARO, JR. Director Table of Contents

Species Page Species Page

Banato Environmental Requirements 10 Description 1 Phenology 11 Distribution 1 Seed Technology 11 Uses 1 Nursery Practices 12 Habitat 2 Plantation Establishment 12 Environmental Requirements 2 Growth Rate 12 Phenology 2 Mamalis • Bayok Description 12 Description 3 Distribution 13 Lesser-used Indigenous Distribution 3 Uses 13 Uses 4 Habitat 13 Habitat 4 Environmental Requirements 13 Species of Important Environmental Requirements 4 Phenology 14 Phenology 4 Seed Technology 14 Seed Technology 4 Nursery Practices 14 Uses Nursery Practices 5 Plantation Establishment 15 Plantation Establishment 5 Growth Yield 15 Yield 5 Oil Yield 16 Binunga References 16 Description 5 Mindoro Pine by Distribution 6 Description 21 Uses 6 Wood Characteristics 21 Habitat 6 Uses 23 Seed Technology 7 Distribution 23 Helen B. Florida Bonotan Site Requirements 23 Description 7 Propagation 24 Distribution 7 Seed Technology 24 Uses 8 Seed Collection 24 Habitat 8 Seed Extraction 24 Environmental Requirements 8 Seed Fumigation 25 Phenology 8 Pre-gennination 25 Propagation 8 Nursery Technique 25 Plantation Establishment 8 Plantation Establishment 26 Growth Rate 9 Site Preparation 26 Kariskis Outplanting 26 Description 9 Weeding 27 Distribution 10 Fertilization 27 Uses 10 Pests and Diseases 27 Habitat 10 Literature Cited 27 BANATO

banato (Tagalog), pangaplasin ("ocano), tagusala (Bisaya)

Evergreen, dioecious shrub or small to medium-sized tree up to 25 (-35) m tall; bole is straight up to 50 (-80) cm in diameter, occasionally with short or steep buttresses. Bark is thin, surface smooth, white or pale grey, inner bark fibrous, brown to reddish or dark red. are arranged spirally or opposite, simple and often whitish. Flowers are in terminal or spike. Male flower has 3-4 lobes calyx, female flower has 3-5 lobes calyx. Fruit is lobed, thinly woody and in smooth capsule. Seed is smooth, shiny black and sometimes with small ari!.

It is distributed from India and Sri Lanka to Burma (), Indo-China, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Istands, Thailand, throughout the Malesian region, northern Australia and Melanesia. handles, matches, disposable chopsticks, wooden shoes, packing cases, pegs, turnery articles. Also for particle boards and fiber board production, pulp and paper, fuelwood Bark - rope and artificial fur Fruit - source of orange dye Propagation - seeds Roots - source of red dye Germination - 5% in 62-82 days Seed - source of oil used as substitute for tung oil (obtained from aleurites spp.) in the production of paint and varnishes BAYOK - used as a fixative in cosmetic preparation and for coloring foodstuffs and beverages. Foliage - fodder.

All parts of this tree can be applied externally to treat parasitic infections. Fruits and bark have been used to treat stomach ulcers and tapeworms. Medium-sized to large tree up to 10m tall; bole is short or crooked but sometimes fairly straight and branches up to 30 m, often fluted, up to 100 (120) em in diameter, buttressess usually present, short to stout (up to 2 m high), rounded, bark surface Pioneers characteristic of secondary vegetation and may smooth, scaly or shallowly fissured, pale brown to gray or be gregarious elements in regenerated forest, also grows in sometimes dark brown, inner bark fibrous, red or red brown with abandoned areas. white streaks, crown becoming flattened and coppery. Leaves are alternate, simple and wavy or toothed. Flowers are solitary or up to three together in leafaxils, large and showy and white or yellow. Fruit is an oblong, woody, many seeded capsule. Elevation - 2000 m asl Seed is flattened and winged on one side. Fa:st growing and Soil - wide variety of soil types including limestone soils. light demanding. Temperature - frost hardy and resistant to drought

Phenology India, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsula Malaysia, Sumatra, In the Philippines, M. philippensis flowers from March to Java. Luzon (Cagayan to Camarines) Mindoro, Palawan, Ticao, April. , , , Mindanao and Basilan. 2 RISE ------be transported in the form of fruits. Wood-joinery, flooring, furniture, cladding, striking tool Seed count - 19,500 dry seeds without wings per kg. handles, implements and plywood; it is also used in ship and bridge building. It is suitable for construction under cover, e.g., for boards, beams, joist and rafters. The wood is suitable for matches and for the production of wood-wool board. The pulp is Sow the seeds in nursery beds. Provide shade to suitable for making paper. -. prevent drying up of seeds.

Bark - contains yellow dye for toughening fishing nets Bark and leaves - rich in tannin Spacing - 3 x 1m or 3 x 2m Medicinal Uses Thinning - when seedlings are planted at the above Bark and leaves - as poultice against itch, treating mentioned spacing, the canopy closes after three years, and wounds, and internally, against dysentry the first thinning is necessary after five years. Early thinning is important to prevent the formation of too slender stems which tend to bend. Coppicing - trees generally coppice well and re-sprout Pterospermum occurs scattered in primary and after fire. secondary forests, especially on riverbanks.

Yields of 8 - 13 year-old plantations in the above trials Elevation - up to 1400 m asl were 51-64 m3/ha and 98m3/ha, resp~tively. This is irrespective Soil - alluvial soils of the stem wood volume of thinnings.

BINUNGA The trees flower every year or sometimes even twice a year. In Thailand, P. diversffolium flowers in February - April and fruit in March - May.

Propagation - seed Seed storage - maximum of 2 weeks, hence, they should 4 RISE Evergreen, dioecious, small to medium-sized tree up to ~~~:~;~~i{$;'t;~~~~~~1~Li~~;k~t;~~~t!~!~~;i:;~~R~~j~1~~~,~~~:t;~~~~~~~~~~~!~lt~~t~~~llic:~;fB:~iRISE 5 30 ( or 40) m tall; bole straight, up to 50 (-50) em in diameter occasionally with stilt roots, rarely with buttresses; bark surface decoction is administered to cure haemoptysis. smooth, greyish pinkish, inner bark pink to reddish-brown, Bark decoction is used to cure dysentery. exuding a pink or red-brown gum; crown open, bluish green. Leaves arranged spirally, simple. Flowers are small, in clusters and petals are absent. Fruit is leathery or woody, in capsule and smooth. Seed is black with a thin orange to red aril. Fast . Found in thickets and second-growth forest, along rivers growing and short-lived pioneers up to 15-20 years old. and streams, in secondary swamp forests.

The tree is distributed in Andaman Islands and the Malay Elevation - up to 3000 m asl Peninsula to southern China and from Formosa southward to Soil - sandy and limestone soils northern Australia. It is found throughout the Philippines.

Trees may flower when very young, flowering and frUiting Tree - shade, shelter and natural regeneration on are fairly regular, several times a year. deforested lands Poles- ladders, temporary construction, especially for parts of native houses not in contact with the ground Germination - seeds of M. tanarius sown with adhering Wood-tight framing, interior or trim, moulding, shingles, pulp have about 50% g~rmination in 24-72 (-265) packing cases outriggers for canoes and match days . splints, Vlooden shoes, high quality pulp, particle Seed count - 54,500 dry seedslkg board, cement-bounded board, wood-wool board, plywood and fuelwood BONOTAN Bark - fruit and pith produce resin or gum called kino or selaru, a glue used for fastening together the parts of musical instruments such as guitars and violins Bark - leaves and fruits are utilized in the manufacture of a popular fermented drink called "basi" Bark - produces tannin used to toughen fishing nets

Medicinal Uses

Powdered root is used as an emetic in fevers, and a 6 RI SE ti;;U~~';;~~~~~::;{:'i':~:::~~:";:\~">'~f~~£~t~~fl~T:~\i~;~;~~il;~l;~~iM(~t$~;;~~~\>;ij~:;;:~«\;;2:?~';~;;~{~' and cogonal areas. Also found in steeper slopes and in water logged-areas.

Small or rarely medium-sized tree up to 25 (-35) m tall; up to 50 (-70) cm in diameter, bole straight to crooked, branchless for up to 18 m, rarely with low butresses; surface smooth to finely fissured or cracked, inner bark fibrous, white or straw to orange or reddish brown. Leaves are simple, finely serrate. Flowers axilliary, petals with scale at base, stamens man~ . Trees are reported to flower when they are still very Fruit are in a capsule, Seeds are flattened enclosed In a young. Seeds of r discolor are collected from October to fan-shaped pericarp and a corona of radial hairs. The species is December and from April to June. fast growing.

Samar, (FORI Experimental Forest in Babatngon) and .

In the Philippines, r discolor has been planted at 3-4 x 3-4 m and has been observed to possess good self pruning Tree - reforestation crop in typhoon prone areas, pioneer capacity and to develop a straight cylindrical bole. in forest clearings and logged over areas, biological control for cogan, and nurse crop for premium species. Wood - firewood, poles in temporary construction, fencing, Annual increment of T. discolor is high, 5.9 - 8.9 cm in wooden c10gslbakya making, roofing and walling diameter and 3.9 - 6.2 m in height during the first 3 years (Boer materials, pulp and paper. and Lemmens, 1998). Bark - when dried can be used as temporary partitions for small dwellings, pig pens and poultry sheds. In more fertile soil it reaches a dbh of 43 cmand a merchantable Bast fiber - cloth, twines, bow strings, fish lines, sack, raw height of 15 m with straight clear boles. (Yaoand Ulep, 1981). materials for upholstery making. KARISKIS

Common Name: Kariskis Scattered in primary and secondary forests. Growing in logged over and abandoned forest clearings, in newly-burned Local Names: Halugamit, malaghani (Tagalog), lariskis (lloko) ~;'~~(~~~~~~~;}~~~~~lt(~:$;1,~~~;'~:~:t::!;~,~;:~\9 8 RISE .:~i.~:,qi'.;~:i~:;:~¥~f~~~/,~~ji~;\;i~lG~~\'~~i2~~;2;1~.~ RI S E Scientific Name: Albizia lebbekoides (DC.) Benth.

It is usually found scattered or in small groups as a pioneer in open, secondary vegetation or primary decidous or monsoon forest, savanna and scrub vegetation (a stunted tree or shrub). Evergreen, decidous shrubs or small to fairly large trees up to 35 (-50) m taU; bole straight or crooked, short or branchless for up to 20 m, up to 100 (-150) cm in diameter, sometimes with small butresses; bark surface smooth to closely Elevation - low to medium fissured, grey to blackish, inner bark coarsely fibrous, reddish Rainfall - drought-resistant, indicated by its common brown or yellow to cream, crown usually flattened. leaves are occurence on rocky slopes with shallow soils in areas arranged spirally and leaflets are many in opposite direction, with 6 - 8 month dry season. flowers are in corymbs, stamens are many. Fruit is a straight Soil - often found growing in poor soils; roots have flat, pod. Seed is circular, flattened are with hard testa. Sap is nitrogen-fixing modules sweet to taste.

Albizia species flower shortly after the appearance of new Indochina, Thailand, Java, the Philippines, Sulawesi, the leaves. In Java, A. lebbekoides, flower appear in March - June lesser Sunda Islands and Pap~a New Guinea. and fruits in July - November.

Uses

Tree - pioneer species Propagation - seeds Wood - fuelwood, but not as good as ipil-ipil because it is Seed Collection - seeds mature in January - February in lighter and smokier 1I0c0s Norte. Collection is as late as May. leaves-high in nitrogen and used as green manure. seed Germination - pre-treatment is by soaking seed in Bark -used for the manufacture of a fermented drink called hot water, cool and allow to soak overnight; or soak "basi"in place of the leaves of macaranga tanarius seed in concentrated sulphuric acid or nick or cut portion (binunga) of the seed coat. source of red dye and tannin. It contains 15-20% Seed count - 49,000-59,000 seedslkg tannin. Nursery Practices

Sowing - seeds can be broad casted in seedbed or seed box or sow in furrows. Germination starts in Bark - in Cambodia, the bark is used as a remedy for colic. 10 RISE ;~~':~~~;~~~i~:m~::';()~~~~:;£~'~~:~~;~!~;f:i!1:\~~'t~~~,~i;it~;~,~~~~¥l~t;~~\~!'\~0~;~i~\~~1~;\~:~fi~W};~'~;:;;~~'fj;:;';t\';(:~,~~~:~;h~:f~~\\~t;:,i~~'~t~;;h~f~f~i;:t:~~1)A;i5~Jji\~t~j:r~i::}~~~~~~~~;Ii(f~~~:~~~;~f~!~~~:~:¥~~¥\~i;5\~:)~RISE 11 3 to 4 days. To assure optimal germination, seeds should be sown in full sunlight. Potting - transplant the germinants when the first pait of leaves appear. Lesser-used species that reaches a height of 20 m and a Plantation Establishment diameter of 50 m (about 14 years of age). Leaves are alternate and pointed at both ends. Flowers are small, white, fragrant and Outplanting - outplant when seedlings are 25 to 30 cm crowded on small flowering branches. Fruit small and globUlar tall. Seedlings up to 100 cm have been successfully with an average size of 1 em, light green when young and turns outplanted. Bare-root outplanting has been successful in yellow orange when mature. It has an average of 13 seeds and Negros. the species is drought resistant. Care and maintenance - ring weeding is necessary during the first two years. Pest and diseases - seedlings may be attacked by rats especially during droughts. '~J' Mamalis thrives in Taiwan and Northern Celebes. Throughout the Philippines, ,particUlarly in the provinces of \ Cebu, Antique, Negros Occidental, Aklan, GUimaras, Bohol, , Leyte and Iloilo. In trials in Java, the mean annual clear bole volume J increment for 12 year-old trees is 2.8 m3/ha. In these trials, Uses kariskis developed a poor stem form due to forking and formation of low and heavy branches. Tree - reforestation species; suppresses and inhibits the growth of cogon (/mperata cylindrica) and talahib MAMAUS (Saccharum spontaneum); good soil cover to denuded areas; vegetative rehabilitation of degraded areas Common Name: Mamalis Wood - firewood, fence posts, raw materials in the Local Names: (basuit); Antique (balingkawayan); manufacture of veneer products, pulp and paper making, Bataan (marnalis); Benguet (Iasuit, pasquik, novelty items and fashion accessories like beads, mamaHs); Bohol (hagbuyo); Bulacan anklets, bracelets, necklaces for export, bobbins, (mamalis); Cebu (panganto-an, pangan spindles, shuttles, fans, tennis rackets, toothpick and toaon, tikala); Guimaras Island lollipop sticks. (balongkoyan), saboagan) !locos (oplai); Leaves - feeds to animals, used in aromatic baths. Laguna (mainalis); Nueva Ecija (dili); Palawan (darayao); Pangasinan (mamaHs); Rizal (mamalis, inamales); lambales (taliu) Fruit - source of mamalis oil, used medicinally. Mamalis oil Scientific Name: consists of dihydroterpene. 12 RISE ;;!~3;;:~!::~'~>:(:t~~ii,;l:i,~i;!~'5~;:~~';¥;;il:\,;:i)':'~;;~';7<~';;Y~'~~;;;l:~:,;,;~;,,;:;:'~::~':~;f<>:~,:~~c:hi~~.\;;t:;;;:i::::::~;;;, Leaves - extracts are processed into herbal medications for Seed Extraction - extract seeds and clean thoroughly by the treatment of colds, fever and cough. rubbing with very fine soil to remove oil. Seed Storage - place seeds in bottles and plastic bags and store inside the refrigerator. Viability is up to 6 months. Second-growth forest, thickets, abandoned kaingins, Sowing - Sow seeds in prepared seed boxes filled with cultivated areas, and ranches. sandy soil. Partially expose seed boxes to sunlight. Germination period is 21 days.

Elevation - low and medium altitude Temperature - thrives in temperature ranging from Potting - pot seedlings using ordinary garden soil in 4" x 6" 27.7°e - 30.6°e polyethylene bags when seedlings have at least three Rainfall - average annual rainfall of 1.215 mm leaves. Soil - grows in any type of soil but grows best in soils Fertilization - apply 2 g of guano per , one month dominated by limestone formation after potting. Hardening - tend seedlings at least 4 months in the nursery and harden seedlings before outplanting.

Clean the area by strip brushing; put stakes; 2 x 2 m spacing when planting along periphery of the farm lot or in Propagation - mamalis can be propagated both by seeds marginal areas. and vegetative parts Seed Collection - collect mature fruits from healthy mother Outplanting - outplant at the start of rainy season. trees; either in natural stand or in man-made plantations. Intercropping - intercrop mamaJis with corn and other fast Mature fruits have golden yellow color. Collect by growing crops as additional income while waiting for trees climbing the tree or with the use of scythe attached to a to grow into merchantable size. bamboo pole. Seed collection is from November to Weeding - maintain the plantation by strip brushing or ring January in Misamis provinces; September to November weeding every 6 months during the first 2 years. in Bohol; October to December to Leyte and Apr~ to July Pest and diseases - none have been reported in . Collect fruits before they open. Buds easily faU on the ground and collecting seeds on the Growth and yield ground is not recommended since seeds are easily After 7 years, small timber can be harvested trom the attacked by fungus and other microorganisms. plantation that could be processed into wooden beads and other 14 RIS E :;j::;;;i$B$u~ii't;1\1i:,kC;i&;;;; jPi:it;:;ii:)iS:1)(~!;:~;f[C;;"i1;1:;;i":,':j,':S?;~\;;~~:;;;r\;~~'~;\;;~@:~ii');i';:;i;)isiiiiij,j;;1t1;,;:r!·ii;;·iii~ ;:;~:t~;:i~~;~tt:l!;;};~~~:\~:?~;t;~!~;~t:;;:7:~{~{;:;l;;\,:;U;\ii~~~~i';?;K),[:;~I~~j:~j;'t~\~;:,;:J;'::;;~?lRIB E 15 ~i~,~;l:~~~;; novelty items. A seven-year-old mamalis wil~have an avera~e 10 cm diameter at breast height and total height of 12 m. With. Boer, E. and M. S. M. Sosef. 1998. Trichospermum, Blume. In: an approximate of 600 trees, 1 ha can yield 64 cU.m.. One cubic Sosef, M. S. M., Hong, l. T. & Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): meter can be made into 40,000 beads (15 mm x 30 mm) th~t Plant Resources of South-east No.5 (3) Timber Tree: Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden pp. can be woven into 25 car seat covers. One car seat cover IS 563-565. priced at P350.00, thus 1 m30f mamalis wood is estimated to have a value of P8,750.00 when processed. Cacanindin, D. and R. S. Decipulo. 1992. Trial Planting of Oil Yield Gubas, Bonotan and Tangite in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Ecosystems Research Digest. 3 (1): 18 Jan-June. ERDS- One tree yields 16 kilos of fruits which produces 210 ml DENR Reg. X, Cagayan de Oro City. of oil with pleasant odor. Dayan, M. DP., R S. Reaviles and M. C. Moraga. 2009. Rejuvinating the environment with indigenous forest tree species. Canopy International. Vol 35 Nos. 1-6 P 6 Bagaloyos, A P. 1977. Mamalis: A species with mUltiple uses. Canopy International, Vol. 3 No. 1 P 11. DENR 1997. Mamalis production for fashion accessories. Sustainable livelihood options for the Phitippines. An Baguinon, N. T. 1991. Promising indigenous species f~r . Information Kit. Upland Ecosystems. pp.245-254. reforestation. In: Improved reforestation technologies In the Philippines. PCARRD-DOST, NPCO; DENR. pp. 9-21 Guzman, E de, et. al. 1986. Guide to Philippine flora and fauna. Vol. 3. NRMC, MNR and University of the Philippines. BeroniUa, E. F. and E. B. Alberto. 1982. Bonotan a lesser-k~own potentially commercial species in Leyte. Canopy International. Vol. 8 No. 11 pp. 3-5 Hensleigh, T. E. and B. K. Holaway. 1988.Agroforestry Species for the Philippines. AVA Printers. pp. 223. Binua, T. A. 1980. Harvesting of lesser-used species and small diameter timber. Modern Agriculture & Industry, Asia. 9 (8): Urn, S. C. 1998. Macaranga Thoars. In: Sosef, M.S.M/, Hong 40-42. L. T. and Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No. 5 (3). Timber Trees: Lesser-known Boer E. and R. H. M. G. Lemmens. 1998 Pterospermum Timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. pp. 340-344. S~hreb. In Sosef, M. S. M. Hong, L. T. & Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): prant Resources of South EastAsia No..5(3). Lustica, A., T. Escario and O. T. Ruales. Undated. Mamalis Timber trees: Lesser known timbers. Backhuys Publishers, production technology. DENR-ERDS Region 6, Iloilo City. Leiden pp. 479-482. , A. C. 1999. Resource availability of lesser-used species, The Philippine Lumberman XLV (3): 10+ Nguyen Nghia Thin and Tran Van On. 1998. Mallotus Lour. In: Sosef, M. S. M., Hong, L. T. and Prawirohatmodlo S. (Editors). Plant Resources of SouteastAsia No. 5(3). Timber Trees: Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden pp.347-350.

Pasig, S. D. 1982. Towards the utilization of multiple-use weed species. Canopy International. Vol. 8 No. 10, P 10.

Pancho, J. V. 1983. Kalikasan, The Phifippine Journal of Biology. Supplement No. 1 pp. 73-106.

Phengklai. 1998. Pterospermum Schreb. In: Sosef, M. S. M., Mindoro Pine Hong, L. T. & Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No. 5(3). Timber Trees: (Pinus merkusii) Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Pubfisherss, Leiden pp. 58-62. . by PROSEA. 1998. Timber trees: Lesser known timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands. 859 pp. Marita w. Briz Vao, Calixto and E. V. Ulep. 1981. Sonotan bonus. Canopy International. Vol. 7 No.6, pp. 15-16. MINDORO PINE

English - Mindoro pine, Merkus Pine, Sumatran Pine, Tagalog - Tapulao, Tinyu, Myanmar - Tinshu

Pinus merkiana Gordon; P. Sumatrana Junghuhn, P. Latteri Mason)

Pinus merkusii is a medium-sized to large tree attaining a height of 25-45 m and a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. The bark is orange-red, thick and deeply fissured at the base of the trunk, and thin and flaky in the upper crown. The leaves or "needles" are in pairs or occur in groups of two, very slender, measures 15-20 cm long and less than 1 mm thick, green to yellowish green. The cones are narrow conic, measuring 5-8 cm long and 2 cm broad at the base when closed, green at first, and becomes glossy red brown when ripe. At maturity, they open to 4-5 cm broad to release the seeds. The seeds are 5-6 mm long, with a 15-20 mm wing. Seeds are wind-dispersed.

Mindoro pine heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown, darkening on exposure; sapwood appears whitish to creamy- white sharply delineated in old trees. Its texture is moderately high tearing strength. coarse. with strai~ht grain, lustrous when freshly cut but becoming dull wIth age. It has a resinous odor and a faint resinous taste. Generally, the wood has varied uses. It can be used for pulp and paper, furniture, fancy panels. in mining and b. Drying and shrinkage construction.

The wood is easy to dry with little or no degrade. Some of its common uses include: light construction materials, furniture, bedroom and liVing room suites, boat c. Working Properties building, boxes and crates, for cabinet making, canoes, casks, chairs, charcoal, chests, concealed parts (furniture). core stock, ~he wood can be sawn easily and works to a good finish decorative plywood, decorative veneer, particle board, plywood, and resIns may gum cutters and tools. poles, desks, floor lamps, flooring, dowell pins, packing cases, matches, toothpicks and many others.

Oleoresin, the gummy substance from Mindoro pine and The wood is non-durable and liable to termite attack. Benguet pine is capable of producing chemical materials of the hydrocarbon class with those derived from the petroleum. The e. Specific Gravity two main products derived from oleoresin which are both useful as petrochemical substitutes are resin and turpentine. Mindoro pine has a specific gravity of 0.56 which is in the up~er range of the commercial pulpwood (range of 0.3- 0..6) b~lng use~ by the paper industry. Pulp fibers from wood wl~h hIgh SP-:Clficgra.vity have generally high average cell-wall Mindoro Pine is native to Southeast Asia, partiCUlarly thl:kness. Mindoro pIne has a cell-wall thickness of 0.008 mm in the mountains of northern Sumatra, and with two outlying whIch exceeds those from European and North American woods populations, on Mt. Kerinci and Mt. Talang in Central Sumatra. (range of .0012-0075 mm) used as pulp wood. The species is considered as the most tropical of f. Kraft pulping and papermaking characteristics all pines. It is the only species to cross to the Southern Hemisphere. It can be found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, The pulp produced has very high tearing resistance and and the Philippines. It is also cultivated in Malaysia. moderate bursting, folding and tensile strengths. ' In the Philippines, the species is usually found in the provinces of Mindoro and Zambales. With a fiber length of 4.00 mm, Mindoro pine belongs to the group of materials haVing extremely long fibers (above 3.00 Site Requirements mm.). As such, paper sheets from the wood of this species have In the provinces of Mindoro and Zambales, the species ". . . RISE 23 quality can be maintained for long periods (up to 3 years) provided that initial handling procedures are optimal. Only occurs in open groves of pure stands scattered throughout the grassland areas of the mountains. The species thrives at mature cones should be collected. After cone collection, seeds should be extracted as soon as possible and be placed into cold elevations of 150 to 900 m (500-3,000 ft) with heavy rainfall store right after extraction. The seeds should not be removed (over 1,900 mm. or 75 in.) but on well drained, porous soil and from cold storage for long periods before usage. frequently on dry ground. Although, this species is usually found at an elevation not lower than 500 m. It has also been reported to be found in areas as low as 60 mas/. In the Philippines, a study showed that seeds from mature cones maintained its viability much better than seed from immature cones when subjected to one to 6 months storage at room temperature followed by 8 - 3 months in cold Based from the study conducted in Northern and storClge at 2°C. However, there was a marked deterioration in West Central Luzon, the annual vegetative growth and flower seed quality after three months and four months warm storage development of Mindoro and Benguet Pine were almost the for immature and mature seed, respectively. same. Peak of vegetative growth occur during the months of July to September while peak of flower growth occurs in December to March. Peak of pollen dehiscense occurs during February while cone maturation was observed from October to Seeds of Mindoro pine could be stored for 4 months December. without any significant reduction in germination. Study revealed that the 2-lb HCN with 2-hour fumigating time appears most desirable for seeds of Mindoro pine.

Seeds of Mindoro Pine can be propagated by seeds. Mar~tting is reported as another way of propagating the specIes.

Sowing of seeds should be done immediately after collection to ensure higher percentage of germination. Seeds of Mindoro pine can be collected as soon as the cones begin to change color from green to brown. In Zambales, seeds can be collected during the months of October to December. 1. Seeds of Mindoro pine can be easily germinated. They can be sown in seed boxes with a mixture of fine sand and clay Seed Extraction and Storage loam soil. Seeds germinate 9 days after sowing.

According to Gordon, et al. (1972), I seeds of good 24 RISE 2. Then, 40 days after germination, the seedlings may be This must be done during the first year and once for the potted preferably in clay loam mixed with soil taken from second and third years. under the mature pine trees (if available). This soil contains b~neficial fungi that help enhances the growth of the young pine trees. This may be done by applying phosphorous at 200 kg/ha. 3. Then, 2 months after potting, the potted seedlings may be Phosphorus increases the diameter and height growth as well set out in transplant beds. They can be planted in the field as as aid in the secondary branches formation. earth-balled seedlings. Spacing may be 2m x 2m.

Pests and Diseases Plantation Establishment I

f Pinus species is the most common host of insect pest in The compiler found no research material available forest plantations. Some of the pests inflicting damages to pines regarding the plantation establishment of Mindoro pine. Since are Ips ca/ligraphus Germar (engraver beetle), Dioryctia rubella both Bengue~ and Min~oro pines belong to the family, Hamp. (pine shoot moth) and Petrova cristata Wals. (Pine tip these plantation establishment techniques were derived from moth). the information available for Benguet pine. . NeWly-planted seedlings of pines are commonly affected Site Preparation by damping·off, brown needle blight and root rot.

This should be done at the latter part of the dry season or at the start of the rainy season. Total strip or spot clearing can be used in the preparation of site. Chudnoff, M. 1980. Tropical timbers of the world. Forest Products -Laboratory. Forest Service, U.S. Dep't. of Agriculture. 831 p.

A spacing of 2 x 2m can be used for timber production Costales, AB., AC. Agpaoa, and J.B. Bersamin. 1990. and other purposes. For forest protection, 1 x 1m spacing is Phenology of Benguet Pine and Mindoro Pine in Northern recommended and for beautification, as in parks and roadsides, and West Central Luzon. The Cordillera Gangza 2 (1): 23-27 8·10 m spacing can be used. De Leon-Boado , E.1975. Search for viable seeds from Mindoro pine. Canopy International. Vol. 1 No.2, P 7.

Planting should be done during the onset of the rainy Escolano, J.O. and P.V. Bawagan. 1975. Kraft pulping and season. papennaking eYaluation of Mindoro pine. Tab Forpride Dig. 4:45-52.

Gordon, AG., 1.0. Esteban, and D.C. Wakeman, 1972. Cone handling, seed quality and seed testing of Pin.us merkusii. Philippine Lumbennan 18:26-29. May 1972.

Lasmarias, V.T. and A.B. Lapis, 1977. Seed fumigation of Benguet Pine ffJinus kesiya) and Mindoro Pine (Pinus merkusil). Sylvatrop Philipp. For. Res. J. 2(1): 49-53.

Noble, B.F. 1979. Car fuel from pine trees. Canopy International. April 1979. p.:4.

Pestelos, N. Mn. 1972, Mindoro Pine grows well in Bislig (iIIus). Phil. Farms and Garden 9:20.

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, 1995 Pests and diseases of forest plantations trees in the Philippines: a guidebook. Los Banos, Laguna; PCARRO and DENR, 1977p (Book Series' No. 154).

RISE, 1989. Compilation of RISE issues. Vol. 1 Nos. 1-10. ERDB, College, Laguna. o p~operly ~pdate our mailing list, we request you to provide file:III:\mindoro pine 2.htm us With new Information on your present address, if necessary. Please inform EROS through the: http://w.w. w.biologie. uni-himburg.de/b-online/earle/pi/pinl merkusii.hym he Circulation Officer Email: [email protected] Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau~ ollege 4031, Laguna http://en.wikipedia.orglwiki/Sumatran_Pine the wood explorer L.__ _ ,__ internet

28 RISE II" ._