Guijo (Shorea guiso) is one of the endangered native trees of the Philippines that can be found mostly in the parts of Luzon and Mindanao. Guijo is a large, medium-sized tree that can grow as high as 50-60 meters and has a trunk width of approximately 180 centimeters. It has a strong buttressed hole at the lower portion of its trunk. Its bark has a narrowly-fissured and small cracked flakes feature. It has an outside grayish color and an inside pinkish-brown color. Its leaves are simple, entire, and alternating ovate-oblongs with a rounded base and tapering tips. The flowers of this tree are short-stalked, developing into winged fruits which are expanded at the base. Due to kaingin-making and logging, the population of these trees depleted overtime.
These trees can be found in undisturbed forests up to 400 meters altitude. They can also be usually seen on ridges with sandy and limestone soils. Scattered on lowland forests with red soils, most common in slightly seasonal climates.
Since Guijo trees are usually seen on ridges, reducing them would put the lives of those people who live nearby them in danger. If they are cut constantly without being replaced, occurrences of landslides may happen in the future.
Trees are very important because without them unexpected negative events may happen. When they are continuously cut down, the earth will heat up causing enormous wildfires that will threaten many lives. And eventually, the earth will be prone to other types of disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, and more.
Trees, native or not, are essential in preserving the environment. Guijo trees, being one of the native trees in the Philippines, will greatly improve and preserve the environment of the country. Not only they can act as windbreakers, but they can also control soil erosion.
Aside from its importance in environment preservation, Guijo trees has many benefits. One of its benefits is its wood called timber. Timber is a hard strong wood with beautiful grain which is used in light constructions and furnitures such as cabinet-making, building posts, and others. Another benefit from these trees is its resin. The type of resin obtained from Guijo is the dammar resin which is called "huille de bios. " It is used mainly in making varnishes and paints. To further appreciate these valuable benefits, reforestation and tree replacement programs must be done accordingly.