Little is known about the tall and majestic tree species that stands at the gates of the Makiling Botanical Garden. From construction to cultural significance, the endemic White Lauan is known for many different uses but, like many heritage trees in the Philippines, it is also on the list of the endangered species.
About the White Lauan
Scientifically known as Shorea contorta, the White Lauan is a large evergreen tree that was first described in 1883. Its bark ranges from brown to dark black but turns gray when the sun hits, and looks even lighter from afar. It can grow into a towering height of about 50 meters. Flowers are large and showy which are attractive to insects, while its fruits are single-seeded nuts in winged cases. This tree grows seasonally everywhere in the Philippines, but usually found in lowland areas like in Babuyanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Samar, Leyte, Negros, etc or in protected zones like Sierra Madre, but it is not found on the islands of Palawan.
Trees have always been useful, but White Lauan wood, in particular, is popular in construction as it can be made into plywood or veneer. It's also a favorite choice for furniture. Resin from this tree is also used as an illuminant and caulking agent for boats.
The UPLB Heritage Tree Committee has dubbed the White Lauan tree as "The Sentinel Tree" for its crucial role in preventing soil erosion and landslides. It also stands as a testament to the successful reforestation in the Philippines established in the 1900s. Despite cultural significance, the low numbers of White Lauan branded the tree as "critically endangered" by the IURN Red List and "vulnerable" by the local DENR.
Threats to the White Lauan
Even through legal logging, the numbers of White Lauan are severely damaged coupled with the intensified slash-and-burn agriculture. Farming the timber of the tree allowed for construction because of how durable and shapeable the bark is, but with its widespread use and lack of proper replacement methods, the species has become scarce. Even in so called "protection zones", the lack of a strict monitoring system allows for more illegal logging practices.
The slash-and-burn agriculture places another threat to this species. The practice involves cutting down and burning remnants of forestry to make way for another vegetation. This destruction not only impacts the species, but causes great scarcity and imbalance in the ecosystem of the forests.
Advocate for the White Lauan
The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most unique and threatened species of trees. The biggest threat to their numbers is the biggest consumer of their produce: humans. But it is unfair to deem human activity as solely destructive because it can also be the greatest advocacy for conservation.
With a community determined to spread information, address issues, and encourage others into action, conservation becomes not only viable but is also led with example. Stop farming White Lauan trees!