CALAUAN, Laguna , Philippines – In a four-hectare orchard in this town, four trees that are the Philippine version of the European chestnut (castañas) are growing lushly.
The local chestnut trees (scientific name: Catanopsis philippinensis) were planted four years ago by noted Los Baños scientist Dr. Roberto Coronel in his RC Fruit Conservation Farm at Barangay Mabacan here situated about 80 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila.
In about two years more, this local version of the European chestnut (castañas vulgaris) are expected to bear fruit, Coronel told The STAR in an interview.
The planting materials of the local chestnut were sourced from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-Laguna Land Grant in Siniloan town.
The seedlings were provided by another UPLB scientist, Dr. Virgilio Villancio, to try if the Philippine chestnut can thrive under specific lowland conditions.
Initial results indicate that they do, although it is known to feel at home in uplands.
The Philippine chestnut trees are among the 210 exotic and indigenous species nurtured over the years by Coronel on the fruits farm that he has worked hard to establish to showcase prized trees for scientific and educational purposes.
Of his collections, 44 are endemic (naturally occurring in the country) and the rests came from various parts of the world.
Philippine chestnut has been reported to be endemic in Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Basilan.
Specifically in Luzon, it has long been part of the forest landscape of Quezon, where its people call it talakatak. To the Ilocanos in Nueva Vizcaya, it is simply castañas.
Another UPLB scientist, Dr. Jose Sargento, also told The STAR that there are a few chestnut trees on the UPLB campus, particularly at the Makiling Botanic Gardens. One on the Makiling School, Inc. Campus is already bearing fruit.