Tree of the month (PART1) molave Vitex parviflora Physical Characteristics

CEBU, Philippines - Molave is a medium to large tree attaining a diameter of 100 to 150 centimeters and a height of 25 to 30 meters. In exceptional cases, it reaches a height of 35 meters or more and a diameter of 200 centimeters with a bole from 16 to 20 meters.

It is a tree that grows irregularly, short, crooked, and has a fluted bole with thick, low, medium, to moderately large buttresses.

It is intolerant to shade and a light-loving species with a spreading crown. It partially or entirely sheds its leaves during the latter part of the dry season.

The leaves are typically opposite or whorled and mostly simple. The crown usually covers more than half of the total height of the tree with the main branches ascending.

The fruit dries, separating at maturity into 24 nutlets. The average number of seeds per fruit ranges from one to three. Its wood is lightly colored, deepening with age; hard to very hard; straight-grained to slightly interlocked or wavy; and fine to moderately fine-textured.

Distribution

Molave is common in both secondary and open primary forests at low altitude throughout the Philippines in all or most islands and provinces. Thus, these forests are often called “molave forests”.

Method of Propagation The plant can be propagated by seeds.

Contemporary Uses

Molave, being one of the hardest woods, is used in railroad ties, ship-building, wagon-making, bridges, cabinet, carabao yokes, cog-wheels, inserted cogs, saltwater piles, plane stocks, sugar mills, sculpture, and carving wooden tools, tool handles, novelties, agricultural implements, and high-grade construction where strength and durability are required.

Leaves are used as fodder. It is resistant to fungal, termite, and lyctus beetle attack, but not to marine borers.

The wood often takes on a yellowish-green or greenish-brown tint when boiled in water. A yellow resin exudes when the wood is treated with lime. When shavings are soaked in water, a yellow extract is obtained.

Molave has been suggested for shelterbelts and already planted in reforestation projects in the Philippines.

Traditional Uses

Its wood and bark have curative effects on wounds and poisonous bites. The leaves are used to feed cattles, carabaos, and goats, especially during the dry season when rangelands are somewhat barren.  Wood extract is considered a good remedy for poisons, as a dose of it will induce vomiting. The extract can also be used in treating diarrhea, jaundice, and dropsy.

How to plantyour molave seedling

Clear the area where you want to plant your seedling with unwanted weeds and debris. Make sure that a one-meter radius is kept free from other vegetation. Dig a plant hole with dimensions of at least 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Plant the seedling at proper depth. Root collar should be at level with or a little below the ground surface with the seedling oriented upward. Fill the hole with top or garden soil and press soil firmly around the base of the seedling. In plantation-making, seedlings should maintain a two-meter distance between seedlings if planted in a row of a three-meter distance from one strip to the next strip.

How to take care of your molave seedling

Remove grass and other unwanted vegetation and cultivate the soil around the base of the seedling (50 cm radius) once in every quarter for two to three years. Place mulch around the base of the seedling (maintaining the 50 cm radius and using cut grass, leaves, and other suitable materials as mulch base).

Prune the branches at most 50 percent of the crown depth, preferably during dry season, and ensure that when pruning, you do not injure the bark. Remove infected or infested vegetation nearby to stop plant diseases from spreading and contaminating your seedling. Monitor regularly the growth of the seedling for presence of pests and diseases.

Data about native tree species are featured by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. For comments and suggestions, e-mail [email protected].