CEBU, Philippines - Bitanghol is an erect tree reaching a height of about 25 meters. The leaves are opposite, somewhat hairy, oblong, about 10 centimeters long, and three centimeters wide, with numerous parallel veins closely set. The panicles are equal to the leaves in length or shorter, hairy, and stand erect or ascend from the upper leaf axils. The flowers are creamy white and nearly two centimeters across. The fruit is ellipsoid.
Distribution
It is found only in the Philippines in primary forests at low and medium altitudes. It is often abundant in Cagayan to Sorsogon Provinces in Luzon; and in Ambil, Palawan, Masbate, Leyte, Panay, and Mindanao.
Contemporary Use
Bitanghol is used for masts and spars; bridge, ship, and boatbuilding; beams, joists, rafters, flooring; furniture and cabinetwork; and vehicle shafts.
Traditional Use
The sap of the bark, especially when mixed with sulfur, is used locally as a cure for boil and wounds. Cloth kept moist with the sap is applied on the breast of a patient suffering from asthma.
How to plant your bitanghol 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 bitanghol 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 Hannah.Aranas@rafi.org.ph.