Sorflaten's Travels: Tablas Island Lumber Industry

Tablas Island Lumber Industry

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (2010) plantations of coconut occupy the largest cropping category within San Andres at 4085 hectares or nearly 78% of total agricultural lands. The commercial value of the coconut primarily concerns its value as a source of copra, a low value non food commodity that has a variety of industrial applications but more recently it is coming to be seen as a good source of timber.

Coconut in past has primarily been grown for copra.

Copra sun drying.

The coconut plantation as the lumber harvesting crew arrives. Note the density of growth.

Our location in Barangay Agpudlos provides a perfect vantage point to observe the thinning of an old coconut palm plantation . These coconut palms can bear fruit for as long as 70 years. In height we estimate these stately old trees to be about 25 meters tall or more. Dario, the municipality’s agricultural representative, tells us that coconut plantations yield best when tree densities allow maximum exposure to sunlight. Good thinning thus allows for a better harvest and allows provides a source of lumber for local building needs.

Several things amaze us about this harvest. We hear the power saws start up around 7 a.m. and a few minutes later the crash of a coconut tree falling to the ground. Then the amazing task of cutting this lengthy tree into lumber using a power saw begins. With an extra long four feet cutting bar, I can only imagine the strength required to hold the saw upright for any length of time, let alone all day, while carving out freehand these planks and boards of varying sizes. Look at the physique these guys have developed from their work! Not to mention the stamina required to withstand this extreme physical activity in the 36°C+ temperatures and overwhelming humidity. These are conditions that would send most people to the shade of the coconut tree! We thought they would work early morning when it is cooler and quit before noon. But no, they worked throughout the day until about 4:30, though they did take a decent break of a half hour or so mid morning and afternoon and also a two hour lunch.

This worker is cutting planks from the logs, all by sight and free hand.

Notice thinning of the plantation in the background leaving neatly spaced coconut trees more open to the sunlight.

Another guy is cutting boards from larger planks, again free hand!

Coconut lumber is rich in color and looks like mahogany. Coconut trees have no natural growth rings, no branches so the lumber is free of knots and imperfections. One has to wonder how the tree supports its incredible height. Research shows that the outer trunk is high in silica, giving it elasticity and strength which makes the outer wood excellent specifically for pillars, trusses and rafters and weight bearing construction generally.

Here on Tablas Island we see houses sided with coconut wood. It is not always easy however for us to know for certain if it is coconut wood or mahogany.