Growth performance of selected reforestation species in some areas in Leyte Provinces [Philippines]

The growth performance of yemane (Gmelina arborea); mangium (Acacia mangium); and bakauan (Rhizophora spp.) was studied in three Leyte provinces. The study was conducted to assess the effects of site factors on the growth and performance of the species for reforestation. The study sites were as follows: Brgy. [village] Nula Tula in Tacloban City, Leyte focusing on yemane (G. arborea); Brgy. Villaconsuelo in Biliran for mangium (A. mangium); and Brgy. Lib-og, Maasin, Southern Leyte focusing on bakauan (Rhizophora spp.). Findings showed that in terms of stand characteristics, the usual spacing in planting of yemane and mangium was 2 x 3 m or a planting density of 1,667 seedlings/ha. For bakauan, density ranged from 3,333 to 4,444 plants/ha. For yemane, growth performance with regards to topography moderately varied. At lower slopes, the average height of trees was 13.15 m, 12.29 m in mid-slope, and 12.52 m in upper slopes. Diameter was also higher in lower slopes with an average of 26.76 cm compared to 24.25 cm and 22.57 cm for middle and upper slopes, respectively. This may be due to soil fertility and the function of exposure to sunlight or aspects. Trees performed better in lower slopes than in middle and upper slopes due to the erosion of nutrients down-slope. Moisture was also higher at the lower slopes. In the case of nine-year-old mangium, trees were higher at lower slopes with an average of 12.27 m, compared to mid and upper slopes with 11.55 m and 9.11 m, respectively. The trend was also the same for diameter growth. For mangrove species, bakauan preferred the landward side with an average height growth of 4.11 m compared to the middle and seaward side of 3.86 m and 3.27 m, respectively. The same trend was observed in terms of diameter growth. With these results, planting density, aspect, and topography in relation and exposure to sunlight were factors that influenced growth performance of the three reforestation species