Why it's important to care for trees

MANILA, Philippines - Remember that poem by Joyce Kilmer about never seeing “a poem lovely as a tree”? Decades after that poem was written, people still don’t seem to get the point. Freak weather changes, large-scale forest fires, fish kills, landslides, drought, flash floods and new and deadly diseases are largely caused by one major world problem — forest destruction, notes Manila Seedling Bank Environment Center president Chito Bertol.

Forests worldwide are rapidly being destroyed to give way to ever-increasing populations that need space, food and shelter, among other things that trees can give. Progress and modernization are hastening the death of forests.

Here in the country, people are obsessed with industrializing and urbanizing even remote areas. If this is not controlled, indigenous and endemic tree species in our country, like narra, bagras, tindalo and molave, will soon become extinct.

Little do they know that among their other uses, trees can save lives through “hurricane cuts.” A hurricane cut is a special method used by hired tree cutters to trim the fronds in such a way that strong winds would skim through trees without breaking trunks and branches. If done properly, trees that are given hurricane cuts before typhoon season can survive strong winds, reducing or even preventing damage to nearby areas.

Trees have many other benefits; here are the top reasons why trees are valuable and important:

• Trees give out oxygen.

• The roots of trees hold the soil and prevent it from eroding into the ocean.

• Likewise, the roots hold up water stored underneath the ground for humans and animals to drink.

• Forest trees help make rain.

• Trees give shelter.

• Food, clothing, medicine, dyes, rubber, paper and oils are either derived or extracted from trees.

• Trees provide fuel for home and industries.

• Carbon dioxide and other air-polluting substances are absorbed by trees, hence the air we breathe is filtered and purified.

• Noise created by people in urban settings also pollutes the atmosphere. Trees are good noise mufflers.

• Without trees, our world would be ugly, dry and uninhabitable.

“Trees can catch cold, like people,” says Bertol, who’s also president of the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation (MSBF). “Or they can die from extreme shock, wounds and high temperatures. Like people, trees also need doctors to treat them,” he adds. “One thing we can do to keep our trees healthy is to prune them once in a while. We should also replace damaged or cut trees by planting new ones in their place.”

Here are some pointers on the importance of pruning/trimming trees:

• Pruning will improve the symmetry and balancing of the branches of the tree on all sides.

• Reduction of the crown density will prevent overlap with nearby trees and over-shading of surroundings. The tree is better able to withstand strong winds due to its lighter crown.

• Overhead and lateral obstructions affecting nearby buildings and structures should be removed to eliminate hazards during strong winds.

• The accumulation of leaves in building gutters should be reduced regularly.

• The removal of unnecessary lateral branches will improve the bole of the tree.

• Sanitation cutting of rotten branches will prevent the entry of insect borers, pests and diseases.

• Pruned/trimmed branches should be painted to avoid infection of the wound caused by fungus and insect borers. Sealant can be applied if decay has penetrated the tree.

• Trimmed/pruned trees should be properly disposed of at a convenient site outside the project area.

“Just look at our trees during election season,” says Bertol. “Loaded with campaign materials, they say a lot about us not being tree-loving people. Think of all the nails and staple wires used to secure posters and streamers on the trunks. They’re also defaced with graffiti and paint.

“In other countries, trees are so well-loved that they live for hundreds of years, like the century-old pine trees at the cemeteries of China,” he continues. “These are well-preserved by specially hired tree caretakers and doctors.”

He also criticizes tree-planting projects, which he says are done mostly for publicity, and pay lip service to conservation.

Furthermore, MSBF has called attention to the indiscriminate planting of fast-growing parasite trees like ficus or balete. “Their strong roots can destroy drainage and cement. They are also vigorous growers. The more they are pruned, the faster they grow back.”

The MSBF has the following indigenous and endemic trees currently in stock for propagation: bagras, tindalo, molave, narra, balitbitan, Palo Santo, kamagong, banaba, Palawan cherry, African tulip and botong. Next year, Bitaog-Palomaria, red Lauan, ipil, pili, molave, narra, tindalo, kamagong, dao and kupang will be available for propagation. The estimated production number of these trees is 250,000.

For inquiries on the MSBF’S tree pruning and seed-planting programs or any of their other services, visit their office at Quezon Ave. ext. corner E. De Los Santos Ave., Quezon City, or call 924-7001 to 02 or 924-0166. You can also e-mail qualitytrees@msbfi.com or visit the website at www.msbfi.com.