From a heritage tree expert
In response to our urgent cry for help from tree experts, Prof. Susan Aquino-Ong was referred to us by Dr. Inocencio (Jun) Buot, our former colleague at the University of the Philippines Cebu who moved on to reap awards for his outstanding achievements, aside from his present position as director of UP's Open University in Los Baños. Prof. Susan Aquino-Ong of the College of Agriculture UP Los Baños specializes in Environmental Science, Plant Ecology, Landscape Architecture, Heritage & Cultural Landscape Conservation.
Here are the highlights of Susan's message to all "dear Friends of the Trees of Cebu." …in a seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mgt in UPLB, I openly offered a gesture of reconciliation to one of the Forestry professors who was in the forefront of cutting down the Dao tree. The group agreed to work together to prune trees and make them safe for public. I suggested to allot higher funds to skilled climbers, pruning equipment, boom trucks etc. in contrast to knee- jerk reactions of cutting down big trees and blaming them for loss of lives and properties. Proactive and professionalized tree management is what we need for our campuses (roads and highways-my insertion) to make our walkways safe and be able to walk under cool shade."
"Try organizing a public forum so that the public weans away from the unnecessary fear created by some. What we need is a sound and stable state of mind when we think of making our community and public areas safe. Tap local volunteers and professionals to make an assessment of the health of the trees. Next explore and brainstorm solutions."
"Provide alternative solutions to the DPWH engineers,-they can channel budget on pruning large trees as mentioned above. Our campus engineer provided an alternative solution of underground electrical lines buried under the center of the road. This may be initially expensive but (in exchange for) the long- term effects for pleasant and healthy environment for humans and the urban community (micro climate lowers to 3.8 degrees centigrade, according to a recent study)."
"You can argue that you are also as equally concerned with saving lives such as preventing heat-stroke attacks which are silent killers during summer time especially in urban areas. Trees also provide shade and better air quality not only for those who can afford to pay for air-conditioned offices and homes, but to many who are less fortunate who take time to rest under the shade of large trees at noontime, and therefore you can argue that large shady- trees are great social class equalizers, too."
"It is important to document facts and stories associated with those old trees from elders of the communities or any knowledgeable person and authenticate them. If you found those facts genuine and truthful, try to interpret them yourselves as experts and let the community commit themselves to maintaining the trees. There could be a local Heritage team of experts who could help you in this area to state the importance of the heritage trees in your local area. Let the locals point out the importance or historical significance of each tree or the rows of trees or the avenue of old trees."
"We cannot leave all the burden of the maintenance to the government or to DENR or DPWH. The community who claims that our old trees should stay alive should also take part and provide the assistance and share some resources e.g. pro bono expert's advice, people's organization to keep the trees in good shape, and yes treat the trees if in their assessment it can still be saved, top-prune if needed to lighten the crown, but with aesthetics and function as criteria to consider."
"But stop killing them, until all solutions have been explored and exhausted( underscoring mine). Involve Botanists, Biologists, Foresters, Plant Enthusiasts and plant lovers and huggers and artists in your group."
"Lastly, you can argue that large trees' root system have the ability to hold soils, thus could prevent or largely reduce risk and occurrence of landslides, etc, which also is a serious concern for saving humans lives and properties."
"Tell them you are not against cutting of trees, unless proven that they will harm humans and to reiterate, that all means to save them have been fully exhausted." (underscoring mine)
"Old large and healthy trees are cut only for the right reasons. Meaning, let them prove that none of those in the proposal to cut them is interested in the lumber. If it is cut down, the lumber should be properly accounted for and that the proceeds or the products should go to the community. The community can use them as useful landscape furniture like public benches and trellis for people's parks and plaza. It should be shared by the public…God bless our trees and our tree keepers!"
- Latest
