Akle (Albizia Acle), is a tree native to the Philippines. It is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 25–30 meters in height and 70–120 centimeters in diameter. Akle is commonly found in northern Luzon, Palawan, and Negros. The only way to propagate Albizia acle trees is by seeds only. Albizia acles has a slow growth rate. Akle takes about 25 years to reach an approximate height of 16 meters and a diameter of 23 centimeters. It is a deciduous tree—a tree that sheds its leaves during the dry season. It is also intolerant of shade.
The Philippines is amongst the countries known for their rich diversity. Over 14,000 plant species reside in the Philippines. According to the United Nations report, about 700 of those species are in grave danger of extinction. Due to rapid deforestation, the rate of biodiversity loss is increasing.
Unfortunately, like most of the Philippine native trees, Akle is struggling to survive. It's classified as an endangered species as a result of rapid deforestation. Akle is widely used for construction materials, specifically for furniture. Akle is known for its color, good grain quality, and durability. It is also used for gunstocks, carvings, sculptures, and musical instruments. Considering Akle’s quality, it can also be an alternative to black walnuts for construction materials.
Akle does not only serve as a material for construction; it also serves as a primary habitat for the animal kingdom. As a result of deforestation, these animals have lost their homes and will soon face possible extinction. Trees have a significant role in our environment. They serve as the lungs of our ecosystem. It absorbs carbon that decelerates global warming and provides clean air and oxygen. Keep in mind that, aside from being a component in production, trees are vital for environmental preservation. Reducing soil erosion is also thanks to our trees and plants. Let us bring back the balance of our ecosystem by reforestation.
Let us not let the Akle trees vanish due to our negligence. Trees did not exist only to serve as a material for production. Let us bring back the balance of our ecosystem by reforestation. Akle trees are planted by digging a plant hole with dimensions of at least 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Place the seedling in an upward position, then fill the hole with top or garden soil. Seedlings must have at least a 2 meter distance from the other seedlings for them to flourish. Once planted, seedlings must be regularly monitored to avoid being contaminated by pests and diseases.
Trees in general, regardless of whether they're endangered or not, must be taken care of. Trees are one of the gifts of nature that help sustain human existence. With that being said, let us work our way to prevent the species’ extinction. We must care more and cut less, especially now that the number of our trees has been continuously decreasing. If we continue to be ignorant of our current situation, we will soon suffer the consequences of our negligence.