Environment office orders cutting of more trees in park

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

PEST-infected pine trees in the Botanical Garden in Baguio City were recently ordered to be cut by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo).

Cepmo head Cordelia Lacsamana said they already obtained tree cutting permit for 17 pine trees located at the Botanical Garden, saying they were beyond cure.

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Lacsamana said the trees could no longer be saved after they were attacked by a pest called Ips beetle or engraver beetle, resulting in the decay of the trees.

She said the trees that are affected by the pest are often distinguished by brown-colored pine needles on branches, with some already hollowed by pests.

This would result in the tree eventually being toppled down, the Cepmo chief said.

She said the cure for the pest infestation has not yet been found by city experts.

She also said these are many other pine trees infested by the Ips bettle in the province but are not under the jurisdiction of the City Government of Baguio.

Lacsamana said these are being monitored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which regularly conducts routine inspection of trees and tree surgery when necessary.

According to her, a single tree surgery would cost around P6,000 to P8,000.

Aside from the pine trees, paper trees in the vicinity of the Burnham Park were also affected by the presence of ambulant vendors placing their used embers and ashes on the base of the tree, resulting to the trees’ deaths.

Recently, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda also expressed concern on the deteriorating state of the Norfolk pine tree at Lower Session Road.

A city-wide concern on the diminishing number of pine trees has been prompted by protests against a mall chain planning to cut trees for expansion and several other businesses that apply for cutting permits to give way for developments.