“A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless,” said American President Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt’s statement came to mind with the recent tree topping that happened at Mintal Elementary School. The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) strongly opposes the cutting of the tops of 18 trees recently in front and within the school.
“The organization strongly condemns any tree topping, stressing that despite the adoption of the Trees Protection Ordinance of Davao City (Ordinance No. 0784-21) to protect heritage and other urban trees,” IDIS said in a statement.
IDIS is aware of the school’s worries that certain trees have become dangerous because of diseased limbs, and that they might endanger people’s safety as well as cause property damage.
The school was given permission by the city’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to trim and prune the trees. The Second District Engineering Office of the city’s Department of Public Works and Highways executed the said pruning/trimming.
However, IDIS noticed that the kind of pruning they performed was the worst. “Based on our inspection and photos in the area it is evident that the authority conducted pruning and trimming through the ‘tree-topping’ method.”
Tree-topping is an arboricultural technique in which the crown of a tree is severely pruned by chopping and removing the majority of its principal branches.
“Many arborists and foresters consider (tree-topping) as an improper and harmful way of pruning. Various studies proved that tree topping has serious negative impacts on the tree and its ecosystem,” IDIS said in its statement.
IDIS cited a study of Shigo in 1986, where the said method “significantly reduces the ability of the tree to do photosynthesis and carbon sequestration.”
Carbon sequestration refers to the method of capturing and storing carbon within a designated carbon pool. This process is essential in mitigating climate change, as it decreases the concentration of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere.
Studies have shown that topped trees are more vulnerable to pests and diseases because they have more exposed xylem and publicly cut limbs. Tree-topping can weaken the root and trunk structures, resulting in the collapse of most of the topped trees during storms.
“Based on our assessment, a few trees were found to have minor fungal and termite infestation, and one mango tree was found to have a damaged trunk due to vendors burning wastes next to the tree,” IDIS said. “These were curable through proper pruning techniques such as ‘tree crown trimming/thinning’ or ‘selective branch removal’ and are proven to have better results in maintaining and sustaining tree growth.”
The trees grown in front of the said school were part of a 2020 citizen science initiative led by IDIS in collaboration with various civil society organizations. “(The trees) are critical components of the local ecosystem and contribute to the environmental landscape of Davao City, specifically in barangay Mintal,” IDIS said.
This action raises significant concerns regarding not only violations of local ordinances but also potential non-compliance with Department Order No. 93 Series of 2014 issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways. This order outlines the guidelines and procedures for the appropriate pruning, trimming, and cutting of trees.
The guidelines also specify that only two techniques are recommended for managing tree growth and health through pruning: crown thinning and crown raising. The DPWH Guidelines explicitly indicate that the crown of the tree should be preserved and not entirely removed.
Furthermore, Republic Act No. 3571 explicitly prohibits the “cutting, destroying, or injuring of planted or growing trees” in public areas such as plazas, parks, and school grounds. This legislation is designed to conserve and protect trees, acknowledging their essential role in sustaining a cool, fresh, and healthful environment, as well as enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public spaces.
“The incident at Mintal Elementary School underscores the importance of ensuring proper
procedures and justifications for any tree-cutting or pruning activities,” IDIS pointed out. “Moreover, it highlights the urgent need for the strict implementation of the Trees Protection Ordinance of Davao City, which mandates the protection and preservation of heritage trees and other existing trees, not only for the wealth and health of the community but also to preserve the panoramic beauty of the city and maintain its property values.”
IDIS ended its statement with these words: “Safeguarding these heritage trees is essential for preserving both environmental integrity and community identity!”
Heritage trees, as defined by IDIS, “are notable specimens because of its size, form, shape, beauty, age, color, rarity, genetic constitution, and other distinctive features.” They may “also be associated with a historic person, place, event, or period.”
Why so much ado about heritage trees? IDIS, in one of its briefers, explained, “Trees provide shade and help increase walkability. They provide additional external aesthetic and recreational boosts for establishments.
“They contribute to the mental well-being of people both in schools and hospitals. They reduce glare and noise pollution. They also serve as a buffer zone or windbreak, which may protect properties from harsh conditions. Trees also provide a cooling effect that improves microclimatic comfort.”
These are the reasons why trees growing in the city should not be cut. “While there are still a lot of trees existing in the urban areas, they are continuously being threatened to be destroyed, cut, or removed,” IDIS deplored. “All remaining urban trees, regardless of ecological distribution and conservation status – native, endemic, exotic, or introduced – should be protected and preserved.”
