RISE Research InformationSeries on Ecosystems

January - APril20111IVol. 23 No. 1

Lesser-used IndigenousSpecies of Important

Uses

and

Mindoro Pine

ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAUDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources

College 4031, Laguna

RISE TASK FORCE

Asst. Team Leaderand Editor

Ms. Liberty E. AsisMs. Marla V. Cambay

Dr. Elpidio F. RimandoDr. Rafael 1. CadizMs. Maria P. Dayan

Ms. Carmelita G. ReyesMs. Flora B. Palicpic

FOREWORD

From various literatures we have known the expanse of forestspecies in the Philippines; this includes, those that are called lesserused tree species. However, in most cases, the usefulness of these

- 4esser used trees species have been down played because people stillprefer the commercial species which are believed to have better values.

'There is a need to review this notion about lesser used species.Today,these species are being looked into as alternatives for reforestationor afforestation and conservation because these are endemic in thearea and therefore growth and survival is assured. Further, the wiseus~Jesser used species and timber of smaller diameter could lessendependence on the commonly known hard and softwood trees.

Information on lesser used trees are featured in this RISE issuein order that tree farmers and plantation owners can st8ft. to study thevalue of these species.

Also in this issue, Mindoro pine is one of the endemic coniferousspecies in the Philippines. Quite different from the Benguet pine that isthriving in the Cordilleras and its cool climate, Mindoro pine is valuedas the most tropical of all pines. In the Philippines, the species can befound in Mindoro and Zambales provinces.

The wood of Mindoro pine caters to various uses. It can beused for pulp and paper, furniture, fancy panels as well as for lightconstruction materials.

We invite our readers to study these species and considergrowirlg them for propagation in the nurseries and eventually, for treeplanting activities.

tAL C. AMARO, JR.Director

Table of Contents

Species Page Species Page

Banato Environmental Requirements 10Description 1 Phenology 11Distribution 1 Seed Technology 11Uses 1 Nursery Practices 12Habitat 2 Plantation Establishment 12Environmental Requirements 2 Growth Rate 12Phenology 2 Mamalis Lesser-used Indigenous• Bayok Description 12Description 3 Distribution 13

Distribution 3 Uses 13 Species of ImportantUses 4 Habitat 13Habitat 4 Environmental Requirements 13Environmental Requirements 4 Phenology 14

UsesPhenology 4 Seed Technology 14Seed Technology 4 Nursery Practices 14Nursery Practices 5 Plantation Establishment 15Plantation Establishment 5 Growth Yield 15Yield 5 Oil Yield 16

Binunga References 16byDescription 5 Mindoro Pine

Distribution 6 Description 21Uses 6 Wood Characteristics 21Habitat 6 Uses 23

Helen B. FloridaSeed Technology 7 Distribution 23Bonotan Site Requirements 23

Description 7 Propagation 24Distribution 7 Seed Technology 24Uses 8 Seed Collection 24Habitat 8 Seed Extraction 24Environmental Requirements 8 Seed Fumigation 25Phenology 8 Pre-gennination 25Propagation 8 Nursery Technique 25Plantation Establishment 8 Plantation Establishment 26Growth Rate 9 Site Preparation 26

Kariskis Outplanting 26Description 9 Weeding 27Distribution 10 Fertilization 27Uses 10 Pests and Diseases 27Habitat 10 Literature Cited 27

BANATO

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

Evergreen, dioecious shrub or small to medium-sizedtree up to 25 (-35) m tall; bole is straight up to 50 (-80) cm indiameter, occasionally with short or steep buttresses. Bark isthin, surface smooth, white or pale grey, inner bark fibrous,brown to reddish or dark red. Leaves are arranged spirally oropposite, simple and often whitish. Flowers are in terminal orspike. Male flower has 3-4 lobes calyx, female flower has 3-5lobes 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(Myanmar), Indo-China, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Istands, Thailand,throughout the Malesian region, northern Australia andMelanesia.

handles, matches, disposable chopsticks, woodenshoes, packing cases, pegs, turnery articles. Also forparticle boards and fiber board production, pulp andpaper, fuelwood

- rope and artificial fur- source of orange dye- source of red dye- source of oil used as substitute for tung oil

(obtained from aleurites spp.) in the production ofpaint and varnishes

- used as a fixative in cosmetic preparation and forcoloring foodstuffs and beverages.

Foliage - fodder.

BarkFruitRootsSeed

All parts of this tree can be applied externally to treatparasitic infections.Fruits and bark have been used to treat stomach ulcersand tapeworms.

Pioneers characteristic of secondary vegetation and maybe gregarious elements in regenerated forest, also grows inabandoned areas.

Elevation - 2000 m aslSoil - wide variety of soil types including limestone soils.Temperature - frost hardy and resistant to drought

Phenology

In the Philippines, M. philippensis flowers from March toApril.

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Propagation - seedsGermination - 5% in 62-82 days

BAYOK

Medium-sized to large tree up to 10m tall; bole is short orcrooked but sometimes fairly straight and branches up to 30 m,often fluted, up to 100 (120) em in diameter, buttressess usuallypresent, short to stout (up to 2 m high), rounded, bark surfacesmooth, scaly or shallowly fissured, pale brown to gray orsometimes dark brown, inner bark fibrous, red or red brown withwhite streaks, crown becoming flattened and coppery. Leavesare alternate, simple and wavy or toothed. Flowers are solitaryor up to three together in leafaxils, large and showy and whiteor yellow. Fruit is an oblong, woody, many seeded capsule.Seed is flattened and winged on one side. Fa:st growing andlight demanding.

India, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsula Malaysia, Sumatra,Java. Luzon (Cagayan to Camarines) Mindoro, Palawan, Ticao,Masbate, Guimaras, Negros, Mindanao and Basilan.

Wood-joinery, flooring, furniture, cladding, striking toolhandles, implements and plywood; it is also used in ship andbridge building. It is suitable for construction under cover, e.g.,for boards, beams, joist and rafters. The wood is suitable formatches and for the production of wood-wool board. The pulp issuitable for making paper.

Bark - contains yellow dye for toughening fishing netsBark and leaves - rich in tannin

Medicinal UsesBark and leaves - as poultice against itch, treating

wounds, and internally, against dysentry

Pterospermum occurs scattered in primary andsecondary forests, especially on riverbanks.

Elevation - up to 1400 m aslSoil - alluvial soils

The trees flower every year or sometimes even twice ayear. In Thailand, P. diversffolium flowers in February - April andfruit in March - May.

Propagation - seedSeed storage - maximum of 2 weeks, hence, they should

4 RISE

be transported in the form of fruits.Seed count - 19,500 dry seeds without wings per kg.

Sow the seeds in nursery beds. Provide shade to-. prevent drying up of seeds.

Spacing - 3 x 1m or 3 x 2mThinning - when seedlings are planted at the above

mentioned spacing, the canopy closes after three years, andthe first thinning is necessary after five years. Early thinning isimportant to prevent the formation of too slender stems whichtend to bend.

Coppicing - trees generally coppice well and re-sproutafter fire.

Yields of 8 - 13 year-old plantations in the above trialswere 51-64 m3/ha and 98m3/ha, resp~tively. This is irrespectiveof the stem wood volume of thinnings.

BINUNGA

Evergreen, dioecious, small to medium-sized tree up to

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30 ( or 40) m tall; bole straight, up to 50 (-50) em in diameteroccasionally with stilt roots, rarely with buttresses; bark surfacesmooth, greyish pinkish, inner bark pink to reddish-brown,exuding a pink or red-brown gum; crown open, bluish green.Leaves arranged spirally, simple. Flowers are small, in clustersand petals are absent. Fruit is leathery or woody, in capsuleand smooth. Seed is black with a thin orange to red aril. Fastgrowing and short-lived pioneers up to 15-20 years old.

The tree is distributed in Andaman Islands and the MalayPeninsula to southern China and from Formosa southward tonorthern Australia. It is found throughout the Philippines.

Tree - shade, shelter and natural regeneration ondeforested lands

Poles- ladders, temporary construction, especially forparts of native houses not in contact with theground

Wood-tight framing, interior or trim, moulding, shingles,packing cases outriggers for canoes and matchsplints, Vlooden shoes, high quality pulp, particleboard, cement-bounded board, wood-wool board,plywood and fuelwood

Bark - fruit and pith produce resin or gum called kino orselaru, a glue used for fastening together the partsof musical instruments such as guitars and violins

Bark - leaves and fruits are utilized in the manufacture ofa 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 a6 RI SE ti;;U~~';;~~~~~::;{:'i':~:::~~:";:\~">'~f~~£~t~~fl~T:~\i~;~;~~il;~l;~~iM(~t$~;;~~~\>;ij~:;;:~«\;;2:?~';~;;~{~'

decoction is administered to cure haemoptysis.Bark decoction is used to cure dysentery.

. Found in thickets and second-growth forest, along riversand streams, in secondary swamp forests.

Elevation - up to 3000 m aslSoil - sandy and limestone soils

Trees may flower when very young, flowering and frUitingare fairly regular, several times a year.

Germination - seeds of M. tanarius sown with adheringpulp have about 50% g~rmination in 24-72 (-265)days .

Seed count - 54,500 dry seedslkg

BONOTAN

Small or rarely medium-sized tree up to 25 (-35) mtall; up to 50 (-70) cm in diameter, bole straight to crooked,branchless for up to 18 m, rarely with low butresses; surfacesmooth to finely fissured or cracked, inner bark fibrous, whiteor straw to orange or reddish brown. Leaves are simple, finelyserrate. Flowers axilliary, petals with scale at base, stamensman~ .

Fruit are in a capsule, Seeds are flattened enclosed In afan-shaped pericarp and a corona of radial hairs. The species isfast growing.

Samar, Leyte (FORI Experimental Forest in Babatngon)and Davao.

Tree - reforestation crop in typhoon prone areas, pioneerin forest clearings and logged over areas, biologicalcontrol for cogan, and nurse crop for premiumspecies.

Wood - firewood, poles in temporary construction, fencing,wooden c10gslbakya making, roofing and wallingmaterials, pulp and paper.

Bark - when dried can be used as temporary partitions forsmall dwellings, pig pens and poultry sheds.

Bast fiber - cloth, twines, bow strings, fish lines, sack, rawmaterials for upholstery making.

Scattered in primary and secondary forests. Growing inlogged over and abandoned forest clearings, in newly-burned

8 RISE

and cogonal areas. Also found in steeper slopes and in waterlogged-areas.

Trees are reported to flower when they are still veryyoung. Seeds of r discolor are collected from October toDecember and from April to June.

In the Philippines, r discolor has been planted at 3-4x 3-4 m and has been observed to possess good self pruningcapacity and to develop a straight cylindrical bole.

Annual increment of T. discolor is high, 5.9 - 8.9 cm indiameter and 3.9 - 6.2 m in height during the first 3 years (Boerand Lemmens, 1998).

In more fertile soil it reaches a dbh of 43 cmand a merchantableheight of 15 m with straight clear boles. (Yaoand Ulep, 1981).

KARISKIS

Common Name: Kariskis

Local Names: Halugamit, malaghani (Tagalog), lariskis (lloko).:~i.~:,qi'.;~:i~:;:~¥~f~~~/,~~ji~;\;i~lG~~\'~~i2~~;2;1~.~~;'~~(~~~~~~~;}~~~~~lt(~:$;1,~~~;'~:~:t::!;~,~;:~\RI S E 9

Scientific Name: Albizia lebbekoides (DC.) Benth.

Evergreen, decidous shrubs or small to fairly largetrees up to 35 (-50) m taU; bole straight or crooked, short orbranchless for up to 20 m, up to 100 (-150) cm in diameter,sometimes with small butresses; bark surface smooth to closelyfissured, grey to blackish, inner bark coarsely fibrous, reddishbrown or yellow to cream, crown usually flattened. leaves arearranged spirally and leaflets are many in opposite direction,flowers are in corymbs, stamens are many. Fruit is a straightflat, pod. Seed is circular, flattened are with hard testa. Sap issweet to taste.

Indochina, Thailand, Java, the Philippines, Sulawesi, thelesser Sunda Islands and Pap~a New Guinea.

Uses

Tree - pioneer speciesWood - fuelwood, but not as good as ipil-ipil because it is

lighter and smokierleaves-high in nitrogen and used as green manure.Bark -used for the manufacture of a fermented drink called

"basi"in place of the leaves of macaranga tanarius(binunga)source of red dye and tannin. It contains 15-20%tannin.

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;:;'

It is usually found scattered or in small groups as apioneer in open, secondary vegetation or primary decidous ormonsoon forest, savanna and scrub vegetation (a stunted treeor shrub).

Elevation - low to mediumRainfall - drought-resistant, indicated by its common

occurence on rocky slopes with shallow soils in areaswith 6 - 8 month dry season.

Soil - often found growing in poor soils; roots havenitrogen-fixing modules

Albizia species flower shortly after the appearance of newleaves. In Java, A. lebbekoides, flower appear in March - Juneand fruits in July - November.

Propagation - seedsSeed Collection - seeds mature in January - February in

1I0c0s Norte. Collection is as late as May.seed Germination - pre-treatment is by soaking seed in

hot water, cool and allow to soak overnight; or soakseed in concentrated sulphuric acid or nick or cut portionof the seed coat.

Seed count - 49,000-59,000 seedslkg

Nursery Practices

Sowing - seeds can be broad casted in seedbed orseed box or sow in furrows. Germination starts in

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3 to 4 days. To assure optimal germination, seedsshould be sown in full sunlight.

Potting - transplant the germinants when the first pait ofleaves appear.

Plantation Establishment

Outplanting - outplant when seedlings are 25 to 30 cmtall. Seedlings up to 100 cm have been successfullyoutplanted. Bare-root outplanting has been successful inNegros.

Care and maintenance - ring weeding is necessary duringthe first two years.

Pest and diseases - seedlings may be attacked by ratsespecially during droughts.

'~J'

In trials in Java, the mean annual clear bole volumeincrement for 12 year-old trees is 2.8 m3/ha. In these trials,kariskis developed a poor stem form due to forking andformation of low and heavy branches.

MAMAUSCommon Name:Local Names:

MamalisAbra (basuit); Antique (balingkawayan);Bataan (marnalis); Benguet (Iasuit, pasquik,mamaHs); Bohol (hagbuyo); Bulacan(mamalis); Cebu (panganto-an, pangantoaon, tikala); Guimaras Island(balongkoyan), saboagan) !locos (oplai);Laguna (mainalis); Nueva Ecija (dili);Palawan (darayao); Pangasinan (mamaHs);Rizal (mamalis, inamales); lambales (taliu)

Scientific Name:12 RISE ;;!~3;;:~!::~'~>:(:t~~ii,;l:i,~i;!~'5~;:~~';¥;;il:\,;:i)':'~;;~';7<~';;Y~'~~;;;l:~:,;,;~;,,;:;:'~::~':~;f<>:~,:~~c:hi~~.\;;t:;;;:i::::::~;;;,

Lesser-used species that reaches a height of 20 m and adiameter of 50 m (about 14 years of age). Leaves are alternateand pointed at both ends. Flowers are small, white, fragrant andcrowded on small flowering branches. Fruit small and globUlarwith an average size of 1 em, light green when young and turnsyellow orange when mature. It has an average of 13 seeds andthe species is drought resistant.

Mamalis thrives in Taiwan and Northern Celebes.Throughout the Philippines, ,particUlarly in the provinces of

\ Cebu, Antique, Negros Occidental, Aklan, GUimaras, Bohol,Misamis, Leyte and Iloilo.

JUses

Tree - reforestation species; suppresses and inhibits thegrowth of cogon (/mperata cylindrica) and talahib(Saccharum spontaneum); good soil cover to denudedareas; vegetative rehabilitation of degraded areas

Wood - firewood, fence posts, raw materials in themanufacture of veneer products, pulp and paper making,novelty items and fashion accessories like beads,anklets, bracelets, necklaces for export, bobbins,spindles, shuttles, fans, tennis rackets, toothpick andlollipop sticks.

Leaves - feeds to animals, used in aromatic baths.

Fruit - source of mamalis oil, used medicinally. Mamalis oilconsists of dihydroterpene.

Leaves - extracts are processed into herbal medications forthe treatment of colds, fever and cough.

Second-growth forest, thickets, abandoned kaingins,cultivated areas, and ranches.

Elevation - low and medium altitudeTemperature - thrives in temperature ranging from

27.7°e - 30.6°eRainfall - average annual rainfall of 1.215 mmSoil - grows in any type of soil but grows best in soils

dominated by limestone formation

Propagation - mamalis can be propagated both by seedsand vegetative parts

Seed Collection - collect mature fruits from healthy mothertrees; either in natural stand or in man-made plantations.Mature fruits have golden yellow color. Collect byclimbing the tree or with the use of scythe attached to abamboo pole. Seed collection is from November toJanuary in Misamis provinces; September to Novemberin Bohol; October to December to Leyte and Apr~ to Julyin Bukidnon. Collect fruits before they open. Budseasily faU on the ground and collecting seeds on theground is not recommended since seeds are easilyattacked by fungus and other microorganisms.

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~

Seed Extraction - extract seeds and clean thoroughly byrubbing with very fine soil to remove oil.

Seed Storage - place seeds in bottles and plastic bagsand store inside the refrigerator. Viability is up to6 months.

Sowing - Sow seeds in prepared seed boxes filled withsandy soil. Partially expose seed boxes to sunlight.Germination period is 21 days.

Potting - pot seedlings using ordinary garden soil in 4" x 6"polyethylene bags when seedlings have at least threeleaves.

Fertilization - apply 2 g of guano per plant, one monthafter potting.

Hardening - tend seedlings at least 4 months in thenursery and harden seedlings before outplanting.

Clean the area by strip brushing; put stakes; 2 x 2 mspacing when planting along periphery of the farm lot or inmarginal areas.

Outplanting - outplant at the start of rainy season.Intercropping - intercrop mamaJis with corn and other fast

growing crops as additional income while waiting for treesto grow into merchantable size.

Weeding - maintain the plantation by strip brushing or ringweeding every 6 months during the first 2 years.

Pest and diseases - none have been reported

Growth and yield

After 7 years, small timber can be harvested trom theplantation that could be processed into wooden beads and other

;:;~:t~;:i~~;~tt:l!;;};~~~:\~:?~;t;~!~;~t:;;:7:~{~{;:;l;;\,:;U;\ii~~~~i';?;K),[:;~I~~j:~j;'t~\~;:,;:J;'::;;~?l~i~,~;l:~~~;;RIB E 15

novelty items. A seven-year-old mamalis wil~have an avera~e10 cm diameter at breast height and total height of 12 m. With.an approximate of 600 trees, 1 ha can yield 64 cU.m.. One cubicmeter can be made into 40,000 beads (15 mm x 30 mm) th~tcan be woven into 25 car seat covers. One car seat cover ISpriced at P350.00, thus 1 m30f mamalis wood is estimated tohave a value of P8,750.00 when processed.

Oil Yield

One tree yields 16 kilos of fruits which produces 210 mlof oil with pleasant odor.

Bagaloyos, A P. 1977. Mamalis: A species with mUltiple uses.Canopy International, Vol. 3 No. 1 P 11.

Baguinon, N. T. 1991. Promising indigenous species f~r .reforestation. In: Improved reforestation technologies Inthe Philippines. PCARRD-DOST, NPCO; DENR. pp. 9-21

BeroniUa, E. F. and E. B. Alberto. 1982. Bonotan a lesser-k~ownpotentially commercial species in Leyte. Canopy International.Vol. 8 No. 11 pp. 3-5

Binua, T. A. 1980. Harvesting of lesser-used species and smalldiameter timber. Modern Agriculture & Industry, Asia. 9 (8):40-42.

Boer E. and R. H. M. G. Lemmens. 1998 PterospermumS~hreb. In Sosef, M. S. M. Hong, L. T. & Prawirohatmodjo,S. (Editors): prant Resources of South EastAsia No..5(3).Timber trees: Lesser known timbers. Backhuys Publishers,Leiden pp. 479-482.

Boer, E. and M. S. M. Sosef. 1998. Trichospermum, Blume. In:Sosef, M. S. M., Hong, l. T. & Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors):Plant Resources of South-east Asia No.5 (3) Timber Tree:Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden pp.563-565.

Cacanindin, D. and R. S. Decipulo. 1992. Trial Planting ofGubas, Bonotan and Tangite in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.Ecosystems Research Digest. 3 (1): 18 Jan-June. ERDS-DENR Reg. X, Cagayan de Oro City.

Dayan, M. DP., R S. Reaviles and M. C. Moraga. 2009.Rejuvinating the environment with indigenous forest treespecies. Canopy International. Vol 35 Nos. 1-6 P 6

DENR 1997. Mamalis production for fashion accessories.Sustainable livelihood options for the Phitippines. AnInformation Kit. Upland Ecosystems. pp.245-254.

Guzman, E de, et. al. 1986. Guide to Philippine flora andfauna. Vol. 3. NRMC, MNR and University of thePhilippines.

Hensleigh, T. E. and B. K. Holaway. 1988.Agroforestry Speciesfor the Philippines. AVA Printers. pp. 223.

Urn, S. C. 1998. Macaranga Thoars. In: Sosef, M.S.M/, HongL. T. and Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): Plant Resources ofSoutheast Asia No. 5 (3). Timber Trees: Lesser-knownTimbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. pp. 340-344.

Lustica, A., T. Escario and O. T. Ruales. Undated. Mamalisproduction technology. DENR-ERDS Region 6, Iloilo City.

Manila, 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). TimberTrees: Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Publishers, Leidenpp.347-350.

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

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

Phengklai. 1998. Pterospermum Schreb. In: Sosef, M. S. M.,Hong, L. T. & Prawirohatmodjo, S. (Editors): PlantResources of Southeast Asia No. 5(3). Timber Trees:Lesser-known Timbers. Backhuys Pubfisherss, Leiden pp.

58-62. .

PROSEA. 1998. Timber trees: Lesser known timbers. BackhuysPublishers, Leiden, the Netherlands. 859 pp.

Vao, Calixto and E. V. Ulep. 1981. Sonotan bonus. CanopyInternational. Vol. 7 No.6, pp. 15-16.

Mindoro Pine(Pinus merkusii)

byMarita w. Briz

MINDORO PINE

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

Pinus merkiana Gordon; P. SumatranaJunghuhn, P. Latteri Mason)

Pinus merkusii is a medium-sized to large tree attaininga height of 25-45 m and a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. The barkis 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, measures15-20 cm long and less than 1 mm thick, green to yellowishgreen. The cones are narrow conic, measuring 5-8 cm longand 2 cm broad at the base when closed, green at first, andbecomes glossy red brown when ripe. At maturity, they open to4-5 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

coarse. with strai~ht grain, lustrous when freshly cut butbecoming dull wIth age. It has a resinous odor and a faintresinous taste.

b. Drying and shrinkage

The wood is easy to dry with little or no degrade.

c. Working Properties

~he wood can be sawn easily and works to a good finishand resIns may gum cutters and tools.

The wood is non-durable and liable to termite attack.

e. Specific Gravity

Mindoro pine has a specific gravity of 0.56 which is inthe up~er range of the commercial pulpwood (range of 0.3-0..6) b~lng use~ by the paper industry. Pulp fibers from woodwl~h hIgh SP-:Clficgra.vity have generally high average cell-wallthl:kness. Mindoro pIne has a cell-wall thickness of 0.008 mmwhIch exceeds those from European and North American woods(range of .0012-0075 mm) used as pulp wood.

f. Kraft pulping and papermaking characteristics

The pulp produced has very high tearing resistance andmoderate bursting, folding and tensile strengths. '

With a fiber length of 4.00 mm, Mindoro pine belongs tothe group of materials haVing extremely long fibers (above 3.00mm.). As such, paper sheets from the wood of this species have

high tearing strength.

Generally, the wood has varied uses. It can be usedfor pulp and paper, furniture, fancy panels. in mining andconstruction.

Some of its common uses include: light constructionmaterials, furniture, bedroom and liVing room suites, boatbuilding, boxes and crates, for cabinet making, canoes, casks,chairs, charcoal, chests, concealed parts (furniture). core stock,decorative plywood, decorative veneer, particle board, plywood,poles, desks, floor lamps, flooring, dowell pins, packing cases,matches, toothpicks and many others.

Oleoresin, the gummy substance from Mindoro pine andBenguet pine is capable of producing chemical materials of thehydrocarbon class with those derived from the petroleum. Thetwo main products derived from oleoresin which are both usefulas petrochemical substitutes are resin and turpentine.

Mindoro Pine is native to Southeast Asia, partiCUlarlyin the mountains of northern Sumatra, and with two outlyingpopulations, on Mt. Kerinci and Mt. Talang in Central Sumatra.

The species is considered as the most tropical ofall pines. It is the only species to cross to the SouthernHemisphere. It can be found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia,Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also cultivated in Malaysia.In the Philippines, the species is usually found in the provincesof Mindoro and Zambales.

Site Requirements

In the provinces of Mindoro and Zambales, the species". . . RISE 23

occurs in open groves of pure stands scattered throughout thegrassland areas of the mountains. The species thrives atelevations of 150 to 900 m (500-3,000 ft) with heavy rainfall(over 1,900 mm. or 75 in.) but on well drained, porous soil andfrequently on dry ground. Although, this species is usually foundat an elevation not lower than 500 m. It has also been reportedto be found in areas as low as 60 mas/.

Based from the study conducted in Northern andWest Central Luzon, the annual vegetative growth and flowerdevelopment of Mindoro and Benguet Pine were almost thesame. Peak of vegetative growth occur during the monthsof July to September while peak of flower growth occurs inDecember to March. Peak of pollen dehiscense occurs duringFebruary while cone maturation was observed from October toDecember.

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

Seeds of Mindoro pine can be collected as soon as thecones begin to change color from green to brown. In Zambales,seeds can be collected during the months ofOctober to December.

Seed Extraction and Storage

According to Gordon, et al. (1972), I seeds of good

24 RISE

quality can be maintained for long periods (up to 3 years)provided that initial handling procedures are optimal. Onlymature cones should be collected. After cone collection, seedsshould be extracted as soon as possible and be placed into coldstore right after extraction. The seeds should not be removedfrom cold storage for long periods before usage.

In the Philippines, a study showed that seeds frommature cones maintained its viability much better than seedfrom immature cones when subjected to one to 6 monthsstorage at room temperature followed by 8 - 3 months in coldstorClgeat 2°C. However, there was a marked deterioration inseed quality after three months and four months warm storagefor immature and mature seed, respectively.

Seeds of Mindoro pine could be stored for 4 monthswithout any significant reduction in germination. Studyrevealed that the 2-lb HCN with 2-hour fumigating timeappears most desirable for seeds of Mindoro pine.

Sowing of seeds should be done immediately aftercollection to ensure higher percentage of germination.

1. Seeds of Mindoro pine can be easily germinated. They canbe sown in seed boxes with a mixture of fine sand and clayloam soil. Seeds germinate 9 days after sowing.

2. Then, 40 days after germination, the seedlings may bepotted preferably in clay loam mixed with soil taken fromunder the mature pine trees (if available). This soil containsb~neficial fungi that help enhances the growth of the youngpine trees.

3. Then, 2 months after potting, the potted seedlings may beset out in transplant beds. They can be planted in the field asearth-balled seedlings. Spacing may be 2m x 2m.

Plantation Establishment

The compiler found no research material availableregarding the plantation establishment of Mindoro pine. Sinceboth Bengue~ and Min~oro pines belong to the Pinaceae family,these plantation establishment techniques were derived fromthe information available for Benguet pine. .

Site Preparation

This should be done at the latter part of the dry season orat the start of the rainy season. Total strip or spot clearing canbe used in the preparation of site.

A spacing of 2 x 2m can be used for timber productionand other purposes. For forest protection, 1 x 1m spacing isrecommended and for beautification, as in parks and roadsides,8·10 m spacing can be used.

Planting should be done during the onset of the rainyseason.

This must be done during the first year and once for thesecond and third years.

This may be done by applying phosphorous at 200 kg/ha.Phosphorus increases the diameter and height growth as wellas aid in the secondary branches formation.

I Pests and Diseases

f Pinus species is the most common host of insect pest inforest plantations. Some of the pests inflicting damages to pinesare Ips ca/ligraphus Germar (engraver beetle), Dioryctia rubellaHamp. (pine shoot moth) and Petrova cristata Wals. (Pine tipmoth).

NeWly-planted seedlings of pines are commonly affectedby damping·off, brown needle blight and root rot.

Chudnoff, M. 1980. Tropical timbers of the world. ForestProducts -Laboratory. Forest Service, U.S. Dep't. ofAgriculture. 831 p.

Costales, AB., AC. Agpaoa, and J.B. Bersamin. 1990.Phenology of Benguet Pine and Mindoro Pine in Northernand West Central Luzon. The Cordillera Gangza 2 (1): 23-27

De Leon-Boado , E.1975. Search for viable seeds fromMindoro pine. Canopy International. Vol. 1 No.2, P 7.

Escolano, J.O. and P.V. Bawagan. 1975. Kraft pulping and

papennaking eYaluation of Mindoro pine. Tab ForprideDig. 4:45-52.

Gordon, AG., 1.0. Esteban, and D.C. Wakeman, 1972. Conehandling, 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 ofBenguet Pine ffJinus kesiya) and Mindoro Pine (Pinusmerkusil). 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 NaturalResources Research and Development, 1995 Pests anddiseases of forest plantations trees in the Philippines: aguidebook. 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.

file:III:\mindoro pine 2.htm

http://w.w. w.biologie. uni-himburg.de/b-online/earle/pi/pinlmerkusii.hym

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