Manila Seedling Bank Foundation spreads its branches

MANILA, Philippines –  The Manila Seedling Bank Foundation Inc. (MSBFI) specializes in many aspects of tree work not only in the production of forest and fruit tree seedlings, saplings and big trees, reforestation and tree planting in urban and rural areas, but also agro-forestry, tree farming, tree care and maintenance (pruning, trimming, and tree surgery), including balling and transplanting medium and big tress, tree removal and stumps-removal using state-of-the-art forestry technologies. The MSBFI has been contracting tree work for the last 30 years done by professionals.

In the development of tree work, MSBFI goes into contract with its customers or landowners. If the project site is within Metro Manila, inspection/survey fee is free-of-charge. If the project is outside Metro Manila, the inspection/survey fee depends on the location, terrain and size of the project area. However, the inspection fee is minimal and can be paid in two installments before inspection and after submission of the development and planting plan. The development and planting plan includes trees/plants to be planted, specific activities to be undertaken, duration of the project and proposed contract price.

The developing specifications and maintenance vary on the types of work to be done. The work specification to be undertaken for the different types of work is briefly discussed as follows:

Agro-forestry and tree farming

A private land turned into a tree farm and planted with mahogany trees

For agro-forestry and tree farming, the contract for this type of work is usually six months, one year up to two years depending on the size of the area. After a preliminary discussion with the landowner an area survey is conducted. During the survey, soil samples are collected to determine the appropriate species to be planted and the fertilizer to be applied. After the survey a development plan of the area is prepared. The contents of the development plan include the introduction, objectives of the project, location and description of the area, climatic conditions, methodology, and components of the proposal and cost of the project. The main components of the proposal is the work specification to be undertaken such as site preparation, staking, hole digging, planting, fertilization, costs and delivery of materials such as trees/plants to be planted, compost & fertilizer and after care and maintenance. Importantly, MSBFI guarantees high survival of planted materials for at least one growing season.

Balling and transplanting big trees

In balling of big trees, MSBFI specializes in balling small, medium and big trees by professionals. The use of state-of-the-art balling and transplanting method guarantees 90 percent survival rate. Transplanting can be performed by digging and balling the soil with the roots carefully manually or by hydraulic spade. The following steps are followed carefully to ensure high survivability:

1) Trim damaged branches. However, trimming the leaves should be done lightly to reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the leaves.

2) Carefully dig and ball the soil with large root-ball manually with spade.

The balling of big trees, which are made ready for transplanting, is done by professionals

3) Wrap the balled stem with burlap or “gunny sacks” to prevent the soil around the root-ball from breaking and exposing the root system while it is being transferred to the planting site or recovery area.

4) Lift the balled tree from the hole manually or with the use of a machine. Newly balled trees should recover first before transplanting.

In transplanting the balled tree, the procedure of transplanting is properly followed to ensure high survival of newly transplanted trees.

1) The hole is dug twice as wide and same dept as the root-ball.

2) Center the tree in the hole.

3) Backfill soil around root-ball and tamp with your feet.

4) Build basin around root-ball to direct water. Fill several times to water deeply.

5) Provide two to three stakes per tree. Use nonabrasive ties like rubber.

6) If needed, add three-inch thick mulch around the stem of the tree.

Tree care and maintenance

In trimming and pruning, specific types of pruning may be necessary to maintain a mature tree in a healthy, safe and attractive condition. These are cleaning, thinning, raising and reduction pruning. Cleaning is the removal of dead, diseased, crowded, weakly attached and low vigor branches from the crown of a tree. Thinning is the selected removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown. Thinning opens the foliage of a tree, reduces weight on heavy limbs, and helps retain the tree natural shape. Raising removes the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas. Reduction reduces the size of a tree, often for clearance for utility lines. Reducing the height or spread of a tree is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem). Compared to topping, reduction helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree. A widely general rule of thumb is never removed more than one-quarter of a tree leaf bearing crown and pruning of large mature tress is usually limited to removal of dead or potentially hazardous limbs or branches.

In tree removal and stump removal, tree removal or tree cutting is done using rope to direct the fall and avoid destruction of buildings and other infrastructure. Before felling a tree, the branches are cut gradually from the top to safeguard nearby structures prior to cutting the tree. The stem and branches of the felled trees are cut in manageable pieces to facilitate loading, transport and disposal. All debris are removed and disposed properly.

MSBFI has the following indigenous and endemic forest trees balled or planted in large plastic bags for planting: bagras, tindalo, molave, narra, balitbitan, polosanto, kamagong, banaba, palawan cherry and botong, etc.

For information, visit the MSBFI office at Quezon Avenue corner EDSA, Diliman Quezon City or call 924-7001 to 02, 929-9312 and 924-0166 and ask for the office of the EVP and general manager Leonardo D. Ligeralde or call president and chairman Chito Bertol. You can also e-mail trees@yahoo.com, qualitytrees@msbfi.com or visit www.msbfi.com.