The Philippine Forests 



M. L. MERRITT, B. 8. F. 

 U. S. Forest Service, Portland, Oregon. 



Unlike the forests of a temperate region, where in a single 

 locality the number of tree species usually does not exceed 10 or a 

 score, those of the Philippine Islands, and probably of any tropi- 

 cal country, contain a bewildering number and variety. In one 

 locality where an actual count was made, 80 different species 

 were collected on a single acre. While this is likely extreme, 

 almost any acre in a virgin stand would probably contain a score 

 of different kinds. Altogether it is estimated that there are more 

 than 2,500 different tree species in the Islands. Many of these, 

 however, are not large growing sorts. As a matter of fact, 

 probably not more than 600 or 700 reach saw timber size when 

 mature. Of those, only something over 100 different species 

 commonly find their way into the markets as lumber. 



It is popularly supposed also among those not familiar with the 

 situation that tropical forests are made up principally of species 

 producing cabinet woods, such as mahogany, rosewood, etc. While 

 such kinds occur frequently, they very seldom constitute the bulk 

 of the stand. In fact the real timber wealth of the Islands lies 

 not in cabinet woods but in ordinary construction timbers, the 

 great majority of which belong to a single botanical family 

 dipterocarpaccae. The dipterocarps, as they have been called, 

 are as important to the Philippines from a timber standpoint as 

 are the conifers to the United States. There are many different 

 kinds of them represented in the family, probably as many or more 

 as there are conifers in this country. Some produce hard durable 

 woods while others are soft and easily worked. Many of them 

 take an excellent finish so that when stained they are splendid 

 cabinet woods. Practically all are large growing kinds, reach- 

 ing heights of 130 to 190 feet and diameters of 40 to 60 inches, 

 frequently much more. As a class they have straight regular boles 

 often free of limbs for 100 feet. It can thus be seen that although 

 botanically exceedingly complex, the forests from a commercial 

 standpoint are not quite so confusing as would at first appear. 

 In fact, when one has learned to recognize the dipterocarps in 

 the woods, together with a number of other principal com- 

 mercial species, it is surprising to know how large a per cent of 

 the trees in a virgin forest are familiar to him. 



A better idea of the general composition of the forests in gen- 

 eral is afforded by a concrete illustration. On the Island of 

 Mindoro, where the writer spent over two years, there were col- 

 lected 552 different species. Oif these, approximately 49% 



