Gmelina, a Tree That Fills the Needs for Lumbers in the Philippines

 Gmelina is a fast-growing deciduous tree belonging to the Lemnaceae family. It is a native to Southeast Asia, Australia, India, New Guinea, and New Caledonia.  It has a grayish grown bark; the wide spreading canopy has leaves that are heart shaped and yellow flowers that turn into small drupes. The tree can grow up to thirty meters and has a life span of about 30 to 40 years. Its small round fruits can be food for birds, fruit bats, monkeys, and other animals. The fruits are even edible to humans, but they are just ignored because it is not widely acceptable as food and its bittersweet taste is not suitable to their taste. Gmelina flowers are relished by bees for the nectar that produces high-quality honey. Gmelina leaves are good fodder for cattle.                                                                           

In the 60’s the forest cover of the Philippines was fast declining. And there was the need to protect native hardwoods such as nara, molave, red lauan and others from excessive logging, and to preserve the remaining forests. It was in that context that fast-growing trees from other countries such as gmelina and mahogany were introduced.  

The cutting of premium hardwood native trees is already banned by the government through the DENR. In this respect the planting of gmelina and mahogany for investment in agro-forestry has become financially viable. Farmers started growing these trees. The return on investment was long-term but profitable. The tree can grow fast in its first 5 to 8 years and slow down around seven years, and it can be harvested for its lumber in a decade or less.

                                                                                                                                                               Gmelina wood is used in house construction and making of furniture. It is also used in the production of plywoods, paper pulps, fuel, and charcoal. Though it is not as hard as the native hardwoods, gmelina is categorized as moderately hard which makes it an ideal wood to work with in wood crafts. Its softer texture and lighter weights make it an ideal material for making musical instruments like ukelele and acoustic guitars. Its straight grains and lightness make it suitable for guitar sound board in place of more preferred but imported and expensive spruce. Gmelina wood is susceptible to dents, warping and termite attack, so that it must be chemically treated and properly dried before use.

Because of the scarcity of native tree woods, gmelina and mahogany are currently the go-to woods for lumber, especially on inner house carpentry works. Coco lumber can also be used in low-cost housing and temporary buildings infrastructures and scaffoldings, but coco lumber is inferior to real tree woods and is more susceptible to termites and rot when exposed to water and rains.

                                                                                                                                                                 The introduction of gmelina in the Philippines has raised concern about the forest ecosystem since gmelina is not native tree and is considered as an invasive species that can crowd out, outgrow and even kill native trees in competing for nutrients from the soil. The situation is not good for the flora and fauna because native animals like insects, mammals, and carnivores depend on these native trees for foods and subsistence. It will also kill plants near its location because it consumes much water and nutrients in the ground leaving little for the undergrowth plants to survive.

The Benefits of Tree Planting

 

The occurrence of global warming has brought about serious environmental problems such as floods, rising sea levels, drought, the extinction of plant and animal species, and the disappearance of coral reefs. Some people blame these effects solely on deforestation. However, the destruction of trees is not the only cause of global warming. Other contributing factors include the excessive use of fossil fuels to operate vehicles and factories, methane emissions from animals, and various agricultural and industrial activities. These activities cause greenhouse gases to be trapped in the atmosphere instead of escaping into space, resulting in the heating of the Earth’s surface.

To address these problems, we need to regulate activities that harm the Earth’s ability to sustain life, and we must also develop practical solutions. In this article, the discussion is limited to tree planting. Plants and trees are essential to human existence, yet over the past centuries, humans have destroyed vast forest areas, contributing significantly to climate change. Restoring the world’s lost rainforests to their original state is difficult because of logging, urbanization, industrial and agricultural development, and the construction of government infrastructure projects. However, we can compensate for some of this loss through reforestation or tree planting. By doing so, we can help mitigate the harmful effects of global warming. The long-term benefits of tree planting include the following:

Trees absorb waste gases and provide fresh air. To sustain life, trees and plants undergo a process called photosynthesis, in which they use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose as food. During this process, plants release oxygen as a waste product—the air that humans and animals breathe. Without photosynthesis, life on Earth would not exist. Through this process, trees help maintain the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere. An excess or deficiency of either gas is harmful. Fewer trees result in higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.

Trees also help provide clean water. Their roots act as natural water filtration systems by absorbing rainwater and trapping pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Beneficial microorganisms around the roots break down harmful substances, helping produce clean groundwater. In addition, tree roots hold soil in place, preventing soil erosion. This reduces the amount of sediment and pollutants that flow into rivers and streams. Trees planted along riverbanks help keep water sources clear and clean.

Trees help regulate temperature and create a more pleasant environment. They provide shade during hot days, and their leaves block sunlight, reducing the amount of heat that reaches the ground. Shaded areas with trees can be 2 to 8 degrees cooler than areas without them. Leaves also release water vapor, which absorbs heat from the air. As a result, the surrounding temperature becomes cooler, more comfortable, and more livable.

Trees beautify the environment and improve human well-being. Garbage in backyards and landfills is an eyesore, while plants and trees with green leaves and colorful flowers are visually pleasing. Green surroundings reduce glare from sunlight and are often associated with life and vitality. The presence of trees, along with birds and insects that depend on them, adds beauty and liveliness to our daily surroundings.

Trees help prevent floods and soil erosion. During rainfall, leaves intercept some raindrops, reducing the amount of water that directly hits the ground. This lessens soil erosion. Tree roots also absorb water from the soil, decreasing surface runoff and the risk of flooding. By holding soil together, roots help prevent landslides. Areas without trees are more prone to erosion, which causes sediments to accumulate in waterways and leads to flooding during heavy rains.

Trees enrich ecosystems and promote biodiversity. They provide habitats for birds, insects, and animals that depend on their leaves, flowers, and fruits. Underground, tree roots support earthworms, fungi, microbes, and other microorganisms. Plants, animals, and humans depend on one another and on their non-living environment to survive. This interaction between living and non-living components forms ecosystems in forests, parks, and even urban areas. If the Earth were to lose all its forest cover, many plant and animal species would become extinct.

We already know the many benefits trees provide. The right time to plant them is now. Trees can be planted in backyards, along city streets, or in wildlife conservation areas. Large-scale tree planting requires coordinated efforts among private sectors, non-government organizations, government agencies, and civic groups. Trees are essential for human survival and for the protection of our planet.