THE NITTY-GRITTY OF TREE PLANTING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The following article came from a seminarian who is also my Fraternity brother back in college. I posted it here because I find it very informative and useful for others who want to contribute something for the environment. Actually, the UPV Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association has an ongoing project to create a Forest Park on the hills of Miag-ao, ILoilo, Philippines. That's where the University of the Philippines in the Visayas is located, which was my grand old alma mater some 15 years ago. Here's the article, I hope you find it useful:

First, check the coming year's weather report if there is an expected drought. If there is then better hold the seedlings in the nursery until drought is over.

Second, plant the seedlings during the rainy season. It is best from June to September. According to experience, anything you plant after September even if it appears to be raining most likely could not survive the coming summer's heat. It takes about 3 months root growth so as to ensure it has gone deep and wide enough to support the young tree with underground moisture during the rainless summer months.

Third, when covering the planted seedling with soil, do not fill up with soil to the brim of the hole. Leave about 3 inches space so that when it rains the water will accumulate around the seedling and goes down to the roots faster than running, passing water. Also this water bring sediments with minerals which enhance the faster growth of the roots. No need to fertilize the seedling.

Fourth, the problems with tree planting after it is planted are not the seedlings or the weather but the grazing herbivores. Goats are especially vicious when it comes to grazing. So there must be someone to watch the trees. Make sure he has no goats or herbivores himself.

Fifth, there are species of trees, especially foreign ones like the South American mahogany and gmelinas, Australian Eucalyptus which kill local trees. Also, since they are foreign, no local birds or animals can eat their fruits so these woodlands are usually ecologically dead woodlands. You cannot hear a bird singing within it. It is best to plant the local fruit bearing trees because they attract a lot of local birds and animals which in turn help propagate reforestation faster by distributing to other places the seeds of these trees through their feces. Also these birds and animals bring in seeds from other places through their feces. Also, these trees are resistant to local pests and suitably adapted to the local weather.

The birds and animals that eat the fruits also bring in urine and fecal matter which are actually fertilizers and minerals for the trees thereby making a synergistic, symbiotic relationship. Actually in the Philippines, if you leave your land without tilling it for a year you will discover that seedlings from trees are growing in your field and all you have to do is maintain the growing trees and soon you will have an ecologically active and productive forest.