84 trees in Cebu can be saved, says tree expert

A SLIDE presentation by tree expert Dr. Roger Guzman shows a tree in Naga City cemented onto the pavement. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CEBU CITYThe 84 trees in two cities and one town in southern Cebu province earlier diagnosed by the environment agency as diseased and rotting can still be saved, according to tree expert Dr. Roger Guzman, retired forester and now executive director of the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concerns.

Four of the 84 trees were heavily injured, Guzman said. The rest were suffering from physical injuries, he added during the presentation of his three-day assessment on the trees along the national road in San Fernando town and Naga and Carcar cities.

The presentation at the Capitol on Friday was attended by officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas, the provincial government and civil society groups.

Guzman was asked to conduct an assessment on the 84 trees in Carcar, Naga and San Fernando after a DENR forester recommended their cutting because they were diseased and rotting.

Of the 84 trees, 37 were century-old acacia trees. The rest were gmelina, mahogany, tamarind, talisay, antipolo, jackfruit and binunga, among others.

Guzman said he noticed that the bases of several trees were covered in cement from the road improvement, thus obstructing the natural growth of the trees.

Some branches, he added, were not pruned properly, allowing diseases to set in. Nearby residents also threw or burned garbage at the base, making the trees sick.

Guzman recommended that the trees undergo proper pruning and tree surgery, especially those with deep cuts on the trunks, as well as the removal of cement to provide tree bases sufficient space for girth growth.

But the DENR in Central Visayas doesnt have budget for tree surgery, which costs at least P9,000 for each tree, said its spokesperson, Eddie Llamedo.

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84 trees in Cebu can be saved, says tree expert