DENR-Army to build tree park featuring indigenous, endemic tree species

By Eric Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- The Philipine Army and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is building a 5-hectare tree park in Butuan City to feature premium species of hardwoood and dipterocarp for the next generation to appreciate the value of forest and the environment.

“I think we should grow premium species that are considered rare these days for the people to appreciate them” DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo said Monday.

Tamayo said the DENR is eyeing a potential site in Barangay Bonbon for the proposed tree park that would showcase indigenous/endemic

trees species. “We have seedlings of premium species which are available and produced by the DERN Ecosystem Research and Development Sector at its clonal tree laboratory facility in Barangay Buod, Butuan City and experimental tree site in Bislig, Surigao del Sur.”

He said, however, that the DENR may also seek financial assistance from the private sector for plantation maintenance.

Among the tree species that are considered rare these days include Apitong ( Dipterocarpus grandiflorus), Dalingdingan ( Hopea malibato), Yakal Saplungan ( Hopea Plagata), Malapasnit ( Kibatalia logifolia which is endemic to Davao) , Bagtikan ( Parashorea malaanonan), Almon or Philippine Mahogany ( Shorea almon) , Yakal ( Shorea astylosa) , Yakal Yamban ( Shorea faliciferoides) , Guijo ( Shorea Guijo), Red Lauan ( Shorea Negrosenses), Philippine Teak ( Tectona philippinensis), Mayapis or White Lauan ( Shorea Palosapis), Almaciga or Dayugon (Agathis philippinensis) , Takobtob (Areca parens), Pitogo ( Lycas riuminama) , Malaalahan ( Guioa discalor which is endemic to Samar and Luzon) and the Dark Red Meranti ( Shorea Orata). (PIA Central Newsdesk/NCLM/DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)