A tree doctor's diagnosis
When humans like us get sick, we go to the doctor. We seek out specialists for particular types of ailment. When the diagnosis is serious and life-threatening, the tendency is to get second or even third opinion.
When about 88 acacia trees of Naga and San Fernando were confirmed diseased and sentenced to be cut, it was time to seek out a tree expert. Many asked, "how could 88 trees be sick and dying at the same time?" What evidence did the DENR have for the diseased and dying state of the trees? As the trees, like humans, were diagnosed with terminal disease, wasn't it time for second expert opinion?
Providentially, Dr. Roger Guzman, a tree pathologist, a tree doctor, was willing to share his time and expertise to check on the state of the "condemned" acacia trees. He has a Ph.d in tree pathology and has researched, written books and has spent 38 years in the field, diagnosing and treating trees all over the country. At present, Dr. Roger serves as Executive Director for the Philippine Federation for Environment Concerns.
Dr. Roger was scheduled to present his findings in a public forum at the Vice Governor's Office at 2 p.m., August 15th, the feast of our Lady of the Assumption. Before this forum, he has explained to the media about his early rapid appraisal survey findings of certain acacia trees visited from Wednesday, August 13-14. We also had the personal experience of joining him for these trips to check on the acacia trees in the south and we would like to share our reflections and insights learned from Dr. Roger.
During his first public introduction upon his arrival last Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Roger clarified that his intent was to move forward, for all stakeholders to attain a safe balance and ensure the protection of both people and trees.
In Naga, he was first shown an acacia tree that naturally fell. He said the tree fell not because it was diseased but that its roots were prevented from spreading because of misguided road paving practices. He recommended all road construction projects to be supervised by DENR personnel knowledgeable about trees to ensure the protection and longevity of trees, especially heritage, centuries-old trees like the acacias. Then he looked at the other trees marked out for cutting–these were easily recognizable because of the white ribbons tied by advocates. Let me paraphrase what I remembered him say.
"This tree is not dead," he said of the next tree and other trees he inspected. "Look at the leaves, how they form beautiful crowns-canopy." There are branches that need to be cut, especially those that have grown too low, to protect people, but the whole tree does not have to be cut and killed. They just need trimming and then their branches will follow the direction of the main healthy trunk, upwards."
" Trees tend to lean towards the road because these have no space or breathing space due to houses and other structures built behind. More importantly, trees lean towards the direction of the sun, their source of life."
"Trees mature like people, and the hollow portion show their age, not their ailment or diseased state." I had the image of older people's bones becoming more brittle and hollow-osteoporosis. Is this a close parallel to the hollowing of the center of mature trees?
"If your parents get older and have osteoporosis or other diagnosed ailments, will you recommend earlier death for them or will you not resort to all possible ways to save your parents and keep them alive as far as they can be treated? Why cannot we extend the same treatment to trees that have given us so much–oxygen, fruits, shelter, protection and more?" asked Dr. Roger.
There were those who booed and argued angrily with the inspecting party–all because of the misconception created by earlier reports that the trees could fall and harm people any time. DENR has to dispel these fears that they created by presenting a more solid evidence-based of their earlier findings about the acacia trees. Dr. Roger said with proper tree management and care, the so-called condemned trees had healthy decades (20-40 years or more) to share with all in Naga, San Fernando, and Carcar!
To allay public fear and misplaced anger versus environmentalists whom they perceive to favor trees more than people, the public has to know and be told that the DENR publicly admitted doing the research two years ago, in 2012. If the trees were truly harmful and deadly then, how come they only took action to cut them now – coinciding with the road widening project in 2014? If the trees in 2012 were deadly and fatal for people, what measures were earlier taken to ensure public safety and protection? Zero! Why no safety measures done in 2012?
People (especially local government officials, including those in other government and private agencies) should be educated about trees, their life cycle, their manifestations, characteristics and their sustainable management. More about other positive ways to strike a healthy, protective balance between people and trees, and the rest of nature in next columns.
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