Fast-growing tree species falcata and yemane may be harvested at half the usual harvesting age or at four years old and six years old, respectively, giving brighter prospect for the country’s local wood-based industries, based on a research study conducted by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).
FPRDI project team leader Dr. Marina A. Alipon noted that the seed quality is the key to harvesting falcata and yemane at a younger age.
“Superior seeds with identified mother source can produce falcata and yemane that grow faster than usual,” read the statement sent by the Applied Communication Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), which funded the project.
Currently, the suggested cutting age of falcata and yemane ranges from eight to 12 years old.
The project team looked into the anatomical, physico-mechanical and veneering properties of young-aged falcata and yemane.
"Research results also show that wood of falcata and yemane can be utilized for uses where strength and hardness are not critical requirements. So, instead of waiting for 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),” the DOST-PCAARRD said.
It noted that falcata is widely cultivated fast-growing tree species in the Caraga,
"The end-use of falcata lumber is only for low construction purposes such as sash, door and panel cores, wall boards, and veneers; of which strength is not a critical requirement,” it said.
While, yemane (with scientific name Gmelina arborea) is used as plywood, blackboards, frame core, and cross bands of flush door shutters, considering that it is classified as a general-purpose wood.
"Because of its lightweight stability and durability, its timber is highly valued for door and window panels, joinery, and furniture especially for drawers, wardrobes, cupboards, kitchen and camp furniture, and musical instruments,” the DOST-PCAARRD said.
It noted that at present, the Surigao del Sur-based Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC) supplies quality planting materials to address the need of forest production and protection.
"MTSC continuously produces improved and fortified forest tree seeds and develops protocols to improve quality of seeds for specific areas such as mined-out, reforestation, and tree plantation areas through different seed quality enhancement treatments,” it said.
The FPRDI study also found that 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, the research team recommended that the pricing and commercial mechanisms be optimized for a more stable economic trading, satisfying both buyers (wood processing plants) and sellers (tree farmers/plantation owners).
"With the high demand of wood in the country, this may help widen the raw material base of the local wood-based industries,” the DOST-PCAARRD said.