Tugas Reserve
On these 4 hectares of limestone-based soil we have added native tugas/molave (Vitex parviflora), langin (Micromelum caudatum), and narra (Pterocarpus indicus) hardwood trees. The area is currently being left for natural forest regeneration and wildlife habitat.
Tugas is classified as endangered. It has been overharvested on Siquijor Island as the wood is very valuable for furniture and house construction and the leaves make good cattle feed. Nature preservation is generally not a high priority.
According to legend Siquijor’s nickname “Isla de Fuegos” (island of fire) comes from the glow of fireflies around tugas/molave trees that the Spaniards saw when they first arrived in 1565. The island’s precolonial name “Katugasan” is said to come from the many tugas trees that once covered the island.
Young tugas (molave) tree
…No more gmelina and mahogany…
We initially also planted some gmelina and mahogany, not realising that these exotic species spread aggressively, outcompete native trees and may impact the ecosystem adversely. We will gradually replace with native trees. Native species that fit the ecosystem well should - as a rule of thumb - be considered first.
Giant tugas on Siquijor island.