Some regions of the nation are experiencing blooming on one of our lovely native floral trees. One of the stunning natural trees in Masungi and the Upper Marikina Watershed is the Salinggogon. Salingogon (Cratoxylum formosum), which when in bloom has delicate pink blossoms covering its branches all around. Salingogon trees are under danger due to practices including illegal logging, wood poaching, a highly prized by charcoal manufacturers, and may soon vanish from our forest as a result. These "native cherry blossoms" won't flourish in areas with a high prevalence of unlawful activity and unchecked growth.
Salingogon trees it is one of the tree species with pink blooms that are likened to cherry blossoms, it can grow up to 35 meters tall or higher. According to legend, salingogon trees thrive on clay-rich hill slopes. Since Masungi is found in the uplands of Rizal, this species naturally grows well in the area. They say that it is highly possible that there are more Salingogon inside Masungi, too. It also thrives in various forests around the country, specifically in Rizal, Bulacan, Polilio, Mindoro, Guimaras, Negros, and Mindanao. Salingogon flowers usually last for two to three weeks during the dry season. It blooms before new leaves start to regrow. The tree flourishes in full sun and requires at least six hours of sunlight every day.
Salingogon is unfortunately in danger, like many native trees in the Philippines. Salingogon trees are used for indoor building of homes, furniture, and other items due to their hardness and durability. Although charcoal makers charge more for it, it was also used to make charcoals. Young shoots from it were also used in cooking. This activity causes the Salingogon population in many areas of our nation to decline.
Salingogon trees are said to be the Philippine equivalent of Cherry Blossom trees in Japan, it will be a big help for our tourism or just making our surrounding even more beautiful. With many animals that are also threatened with extinction, this tree will serve as a natural home for animals if conserved. Due to its location on clay-rich hill slopes, this tree may aid in reducing the risk of significant flooding and landslides in flood-prone locations.
What we need to do is to begin altering our behaviors, thinking differently, and moving in a different direction. This is why it is crucial to spread the word about native trees like Salingogon and educate more people about them. For us to have understanding why these trees are important regardless of if it's native or not, endangered or not, these trees could be a big help in a lot of ways, like protecting us from natural disasters. Due to the decreasing number of trees, Masungi and the watershed are examples of places that are preserved and conserved precisely because of their special biological and geological value and the irreplaceable benefits they provide to humans. It is crucial to protect them from human encroachment, preserve them as sanctuaries, and thwart any attempts to develop the area. With these micro efforts, if its continuously done could have macro effect in our country and our lives.