Characterization of Potential Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.) Mother Trees in Lila, Bohol, Philippines

Abstract

Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.) is a timber species which naturally grows in the province of Bohol and is considered as the province’ flagship timber species. Molave is generally used for furniture, hand tools, and is known for its durability as beams on bridges and as railroad ties without artificial preservatives. Molave is also a recommended afforestation species in the marginal uplands. The lack of information about the location and distribution of superior Molave mother trees is a major constraint in scaling up the production of high quality seedlings of native timber trees in Bohol. The study aimed to phenotypically characterize the potential mother trees in Municipality of Lila, Bohol using the standard selection criteria (stem straightness, stem forking, branch angle, stem circularity, tree health, branch thickness, and branch persistence), which were developed by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR). Specifically, to know the number of potential, Molave is a mother tree with its merchantable height, diameter and elevation. Molave trees with at least 28 cm in diameter and at least 3 meters in height were considered as potential mother trees. Out of 242 potential mother trees, only 160 trees satisfied the DENR Administrative Order 2010-11. The average height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) were 5.91 meters and 40.47 cm, respectively. The biggest DBH recorded is 110 centimeters while the highest merchantable is 12 meters. On the other hand, the average elevation was 120.9 meters above sea level. Many good Molave mother trees in Lila, Bohol, Philippines are qualified to provide seed for tree propagation and to produce quality seedlings for reforestation of the Bohol upland areas especially on the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Philippine government.