17. THE SILVICULTURE OF SMALL-SCALE FOREST PLANTATIONS IN LEYTE, THE PHILIPPINES: A PRELIMINARY SURVEY

A baseline survey was undertaken of small-scale forest plantations in the provinces of Leyte and Biliran, the Philippines as preparation for Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project ASEM/2003/052. Inspections and interviews were undertaken with plantation owners to determine the species, age, provenance, spacing, site preparation, pruning, thinning history, reason for planting and the expected market for the trees. The growth and form of the plantations was found to be poor, partly because of a lack of silvicultural management and partly because of a lack of commercial focus. Technical information concerning tree growing is difficult for farmers to access. Increased extension services and liaison between sawmillers and growers is suggested as a possible solution