CURRENTLY, the suggested cutting age of falcata and yemane trees ranges between eight and 12 years old.
But based on a research conducted recently by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI), it is now feasible to harvest falcata and yemane trees at half the usual harvesting age.
This development came after the FPRDI project team, led by Dr. Marina A. Alipon, conducted a project on anatomical, physico-mechanical and veneering properties of young-aged falcata and yemane trees.
According to the FPRDI, this project has been funded by the DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD).
The FPRDI said that falcata (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J W. Grimes.) is a widely cultivated and fast-growing tree species, particularly in the Caraga Region.
The end-use of falcata lumber is only for low construction purposes such as sash, door and panel cores, wall boards, and veneers where characteristic of its strength is not a critical requirement.
On the other hand, yemane (Gmelina arborea) is a general-purpose wood, which is primarily used in the manufacture of plywood, blackboards, frame core and cross bands of flush door shutters.
Due to its lightweight stability and durability, its timber is highly valued for making door and window panels, joinery and furniture especially for drawers, wardrobes, cupboards, kitchen and camp furniture, and musical instruments.
Research also showed that the wood of falcata and yemane trees can be utilized for uses where strength and hardness are not critical requirements.
According to the researchers, instead of waiting for the usual eight to 12 years, falcata may already be harvested at four years old (with at least 16 cm diameter) and yemane at six years old (with at least 16.3 cm diameter).
While Alipon said that the key to harvesting falcata and yemane at a younger age is the quality of seeds.
The project leader said that superior seeds with identified mother source can produce falcata and yemane that grow faster than usual.
Following this development, the Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC), the center of which is based in Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, now supplies quality planting materials to address the need of forest production and protection.
Currently, the MTSC continuously produces improved and fortified forest tree seeds and develops protocols to improve the quality of seeds for specific areas such as mined-out, reforestation and tree plantation areas through different seed quality enhancement treatments.
The use of young-aged falcata may be favorable economically for veneer producers, but not for tree farmers and plantation owners, as selling falcata trees with small diameters would have low selling price.
With this, it is highly recommended to optimize the pricing and commercial mechanisms for a more stable economic trading, satisfying both buyers (wood processing plants) and sellers (tree farmers/plantation owners).
With the rising demand of wood in the country, this may help widen the raw material base of the local wood-based industries./PN
