IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-2

Research article
erdCharacterization of Potential Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.)
Mother Trees in Lila, Bohol, Philippines
NOEL T. LOMOSBOG*Bohol Island State University, Bohol, Philippines
Email: ntl4747@yahoo.com

NOEL S. GAMIL
Bohol Island State University, Bohol, Philippines
Received 16 December 2014

Accepted 1 April 2015(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.) is a timber species which naturally grows in theprovince of Bohol and is considered as the province’ flagship timber species. Molave isgenerally used for furniture, hand tools, and is known for its durability as beams on bridges
and as railroad ties without artificial preservatives. Molave is also a recommendedafforestation species in the marginal uplands. The lack of information about the locationand distribution of superior Molave mother trees is a major constraint in scaling up theproduction of high quality seedlings of native timber trees in Bohol. The study aimed tophenotypically characterize the potential mother trees in Municipality of Lila, Bohol using
the standard selection criteria (stem straightness, stem forking, branch angle, stem
circularity, tree health, branch thickness, and branch persistence), which were developed by
the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR). Specifically, to know thenumber of potential, Molave is a mother tree with its merchantable height, diameter andelevation. Molave trees with at least 28 cm in diameter and at least 3 meters in height wereconsidered as potential mother trees. Out of 242 potential mother trees, only 160 trees
satisfied the DENR Administrative Order 2010-11. The average height and Diameter atBreast Height (DBH) were 5.91 meters and 40.47 cm, respectively. The biggest DBH
recorded is 110 centimeters while the highest merchantable is 12 meters. On the other hand,the average elevation was 120.9 meters above sea level. Many good Molave mother trees inLila, Bohol, Philippines are qualified to provide seed for tree propagation and to produce
quality seedlings for reforestation of the Bohol upland areas especially on the National
Greening Program (NGP) of the Philippine government.
Keywords Molave tree, mother tree, phenotype, afforestation species

INTRODUCTION
In the Philippines, there is a scarcity of information on the distribution and phenology of premiumindigenous timber species because of limited research and development effort (Gregorio et al.,2006), except for dipterocarps. Most research activities focus on a few exotics that have been usedin large-scale industrial tree plantations, reforestation projects and smallholder tree plantings. The
limited knowledge about the distribution and phenology of mother trees constrains seedling
producers from diversifying their seedling production and has led to the use of wildlings, which
often results in the production of seedlings of low physical quality (Gregorio, 2006). Because of
these reasons, the scaling up of the domestication of native timber trees is constrained by thelimited availability of planting materials and low quality germ plasm.
There is an increasing interest in planting premium indigenous timber species in tree farming,
agroforestry, and reforestation in the Bohol, for ecological and economic reasons. Milan andMargraf (1994) argue that the planting of indigenous trees promotes biological diversity. Generally,
the timber quality of native timber trees (including Molave) is superior to that of the commonexotics, leading to a higher market value.
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Molave is a flagship timber species in Bohol generally used for furniture, hand tools, andknown for its durability as beams on bridges and as railroad ties without artificial preservatives.
Molave is a medium to large tree attaining a diameter of 100 to 150 cm and a height from 25 to 30
m. In exceptional cases, it reaches a height of 35 m or more and a diameter up to 200 cm with abole from 16 to 20 cm. It is a tree that grows irregularly too far with a clear bole of 2 m or less inlength (Dichoso, 2000). Fortunately, Molave stands in Lila, Bohol attain a clear bole height of
more than 3 m to a maximum of 8 m, which is sufficient enough to initially qualify as potential
mother trees.
A mother tree is a tree selected from the forest stands, which gather seeds for propagation
purposes (DAO 09, s. 1995). A mother tree should provide a sustained supply of forest tree seeds
and other planting stock for the country’s collection, distribution and use of forest tree seeds andother forms of plating materials.
The government, through Department of Environment and Natural Resources, promotes theuse of high quality planting materials in its afforestation and other afforestation activities topromote biodiversity conservation in marginal uplands/watershed areas (Lomosbog, 2013), and toensure sustainable production and supply of wood and other forest products in the country. In mostrecent government and non-government greening endeavor in the province of Bohol, they are using
low quality planting stocks because of the limited access to phenotypically and genotypically –superior mother trees as a source of planting stocks especially Molave. To increase the possibilityof collecting good quality seed, mother trees should be selected in stands that consist of goodquality trees (Mulawarman et al., 2003).
Therefore, the intention of this study is to assess the possible potential mother trees of Molave
in Lila, Bohol as future sources of seeds in the production of quality planting materials in supportof the National Greening Program (NGP) and other related government and non-government
reforestation endeavor.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to phenotypically characterize the potential Molave mother trees in municipalityof Lila Bohol by using the standard DENR selection criteria. Specifically, it sought to know thenumber of potential Molave mother trees and its merchantable height, diameter, and elevation
within each barangay1.
METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in all barangays of Lila, Bohol, namely: Taug, La Fortuna, Tiguis,Calvario, Lumanoy, Catugasan, Cayupo, Candulang, Poblacion, Macalingan, Cogon, Nagsulay,
Malinao East, Malinao West, Bonkokan Ilaya, Bonkokan Ubos, Janbawan, and Banban. Lila is atown on the southern coast of Bohol, twenty-eight and a half km from Tagbilaran City. It liesbetween Loay and Dimiao. Sometimes it was a part of the latter municipality. The climate is typefour characterized by even distribution of rainfall with dry season in January to May and wet
season in June to December (BAMP, 2006). The classification of land is karst and limestone areas
with a vegetation of grassland and forest areas.
Selection Criteria of the Potential Mother Trees
Potential mother trees were determined based on its: (a) diameter measurement ≥28 cm; (b)merchantable height ≥3 m; (c) stem straightness; (d) stem forking; (e) branch angle; (f) stem
circularity; (g) tree health; (h) branch thickness; and (i) branch persistence (DAO, 2010-11). Thecandidate mother trees were rated from 1-6 as shown in Table 1.
1A barangay (Brgy. or Bgy.; Filipino: baranggay, [baɾaŋˈɡaj]), formerly called barrio, is the smallest administrative division in thePhilippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward.

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-2

Table 1 Selection criteria for potential mother trees and their corresponding ratings
CriteriaStem straightness
Stem forking
Branch angle
Stem circularity
Tree healthBranch thickness

6
Perfectly straight
Forking above 6m

Rating Scales
54-3
Slight bending
Bending
Forking between 6m
Forking below 3mand 3mBranches forming
Branches forming
90˚
between 90˚ and 75˚Stem is roundNot perfectly round
Green-lushIntermediate
vigorous crownThin branches relative to tree size

Branches forming
between 75˚ and 60˚Oblong shapeThin yellow crown

2-1
Over bending
Multi-stem forking
Branches forming
between 60˚ and 45˚No shape

Intermediate

Thick coarsebranches relative totree size
Branch persistence
Dry branches shed relatively fast afterIntermediate
Dry branches remain
canopy closureon the stem forseveral years after
canopy closure
Source: DAO (2010) (1 as very unacceptable; 2 as unacceptable; 3 for relatively acceptable; 4 as fair; 5 as good; and 6
as highly acceptable)

Data Collection and Analysis
Diameter at breast height of each potential Molave mother tree was measured using improvised
Molave tree caliper. The tree caliper was placed at the right angle to the trunk at a point 1.3 mabove the ground. For trees growing on slopes, it was recommended that DBH be measured fromthe uphill side of the tree.
Merchantable heights of potential mother trees of Molave were determined using simple
ocular estimation. Merchantable height was estimated from the first big branch of the Molave tree.
After determining the diameter and height of the potential mother trees, the trees were marked
with yellow enamel paint to serve as permanent marker or a guide mark during the determination ofelevation and coordinates.
Assessment of the potential mother trees of Molave was limited only on the stem straightness,stem branching, stem circularity, tree health, branch angle, branch thickness, and branchpersistence as physical tree attributes.
Global Positioning System (GPS) units were used to determine the locations (elevation) of
each potential Molave mother tree per barangay. Each mother tree was given its own unique codefor future mapping purposes.
The study used frequency counts and simple percentage functions of Microsoft Office Excel
2007 Data Analysis as statistical analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Number of Potential Mother Trees
The potential mother trees of Molave in Lila, Bohol were evaluated using the DENR assessment
criteria. Out of 242 potential mother trees of Molave, only 160 (66.12%) trees obtained a rating of“good”; on the other hand, 82 (33.88%) trees garnered a rating of “fair”. Of the 160 Molave mothertrees rated as “good”, barangay Bongkokan Ubos had the most number of mother trees with 22(68.75%), followed by barangay Catugasan with 21 (80.77%). On the other hand, barangays
Cayupo, Candulang and Macalingan had the same number of good Molave mother trees with 16,
while barangay Calvario had the least number of good mother tree with only one (Table 2).

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Table 2 Number of Molave mother trees per barangay
Name of Barangays
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Bongkokan Ubos
Catugasan
Candulang
CayupoMacalingan
Lumanoy
Cogon
TaugTiguis
Malinao West
Jambawan
Bongkokan Ilaya
Malinao East
La Fortuna
BanbanNagsulay
Poblacion
Calvario
TotalGood2221
16
16
16118776
64
44
4
4
3
1
160%
68.75
80.77
64.00
76.19
94.12
40.74
88.89
46.67
70.00
66.67
54.55
80.00
80.00
50.00
100.00
80.00
33.33
25.00
66.12

Number of trees
Fair
10
5
5
9
1
16
1
8
3
3
50
4
1
1
1
6
3
82

%
31.25
19.23
36.00
23.81
5.88
59.26
11.11
53.33
30.00
33.33
45.45
20.00
20.00
50.00
0.00
20.00
66.67
75.00
33.88

Total
32
26
21
25
17
27
915
10
9
11
4
8
5
5
5
9
4
242

%=percentage

Merchantable Height
Table 3 presents the average merchantable height (m) of potential mother trees of Molave perbarangay in Lila, Bohol. A total of 242 potential mother trees was identified in the study. PotentialMolave mother trees in barangay Bongkokan Ilaya had the highest average height of 8.75 m,
followed by barangays Lomanoy, Malinao East, Malinao West, and Jambawan with 7.33 m, 6.65m, 6.56 m, and 6.18 m, respectively. The said barangays were the first five barangays in Lila,Bohol having the most abundant potential Molave trees, which at least 3 meter height were found(Fig. 1b). On the other hand, barangay Poblacion of Lila, Bohol had the lowest average height ofpotential Molave mother trees with 4.11m.
abFig. 1 Molave mother tree assessed based on stem growth such as (a) diameter measurementand (b) merchantable height
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)
Among the 242 potential mother trees of Molave in Lila Bohol, barangay Catugasan had thebiggest average Diameter at Breast Height of 55.85 cm, followed by barangays Bongkokan Ubos,Ⓒ ISERD14IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2015) 6-2

Macalingan, Tiguis and La Fortuna with average DBH of 46.69 cm, 45.53 cm, 44.50 cm and 43.80
cm, respectively. Moreover, barangay Jambawan had the smallest average DBH of 33.82 cm(Table 3).
Elevation
Table 3 illustrates the average elevation in meters above sea level (masl) of potential mother treesof Molave per barangay in Lila, Bohol. The table further shows that barangay Jambawan had thehighest elevation of 221.6 masl, followed by barangay Calvario with 220 masl. On the other hand,barangays Malinao West, Malinao East and La Fortuna had the next top elevations of 132.2, 126.4,and 123.2 masl, respectively.
Table 3 Merchantable height, diameter at breast height and elevation of Molave mother trees
per barangay
Name of Barangays
1.
2.

Bongkokan Ubos
Catugasan

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

Candulang
CayupoMacalingan
Lumanoy
Cogon
TaugTiguis
Malinao West
Jambawan
Bongkokan Ilaya
Malinao East
La Fortuna
BanbanNagsulay
Poblacion
Calvario
Averagemasl (meters above sea level)

Merchantable Height(m)Diameter at Breast Height(cm)Average Elevation(masl)

5.61
5.12

46.69
55.85

80.10
112.40

6.00
5.68
5.29
7.33
5.56
5.40
5.40
6.56
6.18
8.75
6.75
6.00
5.60
5.00
4.11
6.00
5.91

36.00
40.68
45.53
39.37
39.00
39.33
44.50
34.89
33.82
41.25
35.67
43.80
36.25
36.80
42.89
36.20
40.47

113.80117.90119.70120.50123.00100.10115.70132.20221.60109.20126.40123.20
75.60
73.20
92.00
220.00120.92

CONCLUSION
A lot of good Molave mother trees in Lila, Bohol, Philippines met the requirements to provide
quality seed and seedlings based on DAO 2010-11 for reforestation of the Bohol upland areas,
especially on the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Philippine government. A total of 160
Molave trees was considered as good mother trees sporadically distributed in five barangays of Lila,
Bohol namely Bongkokan Ubos, Catugasan, Cayupo, Candulang and Macalingan. The heightmeasurements of the good mother trees ranged from 6.18 m to 8.75 m while its diameter ranged
from 43.80 cm to as big as 55.85 cm.
It is recommended to conduct Geo Tagging of the identified good Molave mothers for seed
documentation and exact location of seed sources. Furthermore, it is needed to provide financial
benefits and technical assistance to land owners who continuously protect the growing Molave
mother trees.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. Bohol Island State University - for the support in the conduct of the Study
2. Local Government Units of Lila, Bohol - for allowing the researchers to conduct this Study
3. The Punong Barangay (Captains) of the 18 barangays of Lila, Bohol - for the assistance during
the actual field data gatherings
4. DENR Extension Officer assigned in Lila, Bohol – for the company in the initial field locationof the potential mother tree of Molave
REFERENCES
BAMP. 2006. Bohol Agricultural Master Plan (2006-2026). Provincial Government of Bohol, Philippines.
Department Administrative Order 1995-09. Regulation of forest tree seed production, collection anddispositions, signed by Secretary Angel C. Alcala on 29 March 1995.
Department Administrative Order 2010-11. Revised regulations governing forest tree seed and seedling
production, collection and disposition, signed by Secretary Horacio Ramos on 5 May 2010.
Dichoso, W.C. 2000. Useful plant species with toxic substance. Research Information Series on Ecosystems(RICE). DENR-ERDB Los Bańos Laguna, Philippines. 12, 2, May-August 2000, 7-8.
Gregorio, N.O. 2006. Improving the effectiveness of the forest nursery industry in Leyte Province, thePhilippines, PhD thesis, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia.
Gregorio, N.O., Doydora, U., Harrison, S., Herbohn, J., and Sebua, J. 2006. Inventory and assessment ofmother trees of indigenous timber species on Leyte Island and Southern Mindanao, Philippines. ACIAR
Seedling Enhancement Project.
Lomosbog, N.T. 2013. Upland development program in Bohol watersheds: A rehabilitation and climatechange mitigation strategies, Ph.D. dissertation, College of Advanced Studies, Bohol Island StateUniversity, Main Campus, Tagbilaran City, Philippines.
Milan, P. and Margraf, J. 1994. ‘Rainforestation farming: An alternative to conventional concepts’, Annals of
Tropical Research, 16, 4, 17-27.
Mulawarman, Roshetko, J.M., Sasongko, S.M. and Irianto, D. 2003. Tree seed management – seed sources,
seed collection and seed handling: A field manual for field workers and farmers. International Centre for
Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and Winrock International. Bogor, Indonesia.

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