Lessons from the #gubathursdays Walking Tour with resources from UP Institute of Biology

1. No trees are alike. No forests are alike. Each tree has its distinct characteristic.
   
2. Not all trees produce flowers and fruits.
3. Arboretum is a land area with a collection of trees for appreciation and scientific study. There is a one-hectare lot at the Southeast lot of UP Diliman developed by Energy Development Board EDC.
4. Herbarium is a collection of pressed plant specimen and data for scientific study. The UP Institute of Biology houses a museum with thousands of collections.
5. There are unique trees depending on various land conditions such as lowland, limestone, elevated. Bamboo is the biggest grass.
   
6. Trees coexist with other living organisms as a result of a long, complex process. Uprooting them disturbs the entire ecosystem.
7. Each tree competes with other living organism for space, sunlight, water, nutrients.
8. Better native. Mahogany is an aggressive tree that sucks water to survive. Its' leaves are toxic.
9. The Philippines has a wide variety of endemic plants, among the highest relative to its land
   area. Unfortunately, most of them are endangered.
10. Don't ignore trees. Don't just look at them. Appreciate them for timber, food, medicinal, aesthetic value. If there are species you want identified, just bring them to the herbarium at UPIB.

Repeatedly said technical words:
Dipterocarp, a family of tall hardwood tropical tree chiefly used as source of timber, aromatic oil, resins
Gmelina, a fast-growing deciduous tree

Recalled from the #gubatsasiyudad lectures of David, Bobby, Brian, Mon and Abby 28 March 2019

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I lift from David Ples’ FB post, this article enjoining participation to the last tour this March.

“Every Thursday for almost two months now, I’ve had the distinct privilege of accompanying the Diliman Flora Tour participants on their adventures through our very own little #GubatSaSiyudad, here at the UP IB – EDC BINHI Threatened Species Arboretum.

The Walking Tours - UP Lakad Gunita tree treks have been a golden opportunity for us to spread the word on the astounding diversity of Philippine flora, which I always say is our country’s greatest treasure and somehow also our best-kept secret. It’s quietly rewarding to see admiration in the eyes that behold the flowers of katmon or bagawak-morado, or the smile that breaks through when meeting the antipolo tree for the first time. It’s also deeply satisfying to be part of those “what on earth” moments, as a site guide – the gasps when we break open tangisang bayawak figs to reveal wasps inside, and the raised eyebrows at stories of lipa’s vicious sting. Our diversity is beautiful, and it’s fascinating!

Just as important, though, are all the moments of disillusion and shock. Finding out we have less than a tenth of our good forest left. Frustration about invasive species. The somber silences when we talk about Sir Leonard’s death. Our diversity is under threat, and still barely known – that’s precisely why tree walks are important. People will protect what they love, but they can’t love what they don’t know.

Tomorrow is our last official tour, and if anyone out there reading happens to have the time, I guess I’m inviting you to drop by. Even if you can’t make it tomorrow morning, there’ll be more tree walks to come – with the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Inc., and hopefully with UP Asian Institute of Tourism, if the walking tours are elevated into an official and regular university function. 

Ask me for a personal tour of the arboretum, if you want – I’d be happy to oblige! These tree walks have been my favorite part of 2019 so far, the thing that’s been most fulfilling, and I’d like nothing more than to help friends and strangers alike fall in love with biodiversity the same way I have: head over heels, over and over again.”