103. HARVESTING COCONUT STEMS By: Alfonso M.R. Mendoza* Summary Coconut in the Philippines dates back to pre-Spanish time and since then, has developed into a major industry with 14 million — people depending on it. It is however characterized by low. productivity because of the increasing number of aging palms and the lack of adequate cultural management inputs. Hence, the government has launched a massive replanting programme to cover the 2.3 million hectares devoted to coconut, which will involve the cutting down of6 million trees annually. For technical and economic reasons, it is necessary to properly dispose coconut trunks, hence the great Gesirability to develop economic uses of the coconut logs. Investigations are now going on along this line, and some limited experiences have been obtained on coconut stem logging, as discussed in this papér. Introduction The coconut, Cocos nucifera L. has been cultivated in the Philippines even before the coming of the Spaniards. The Spanish authorities, realizing the economic importance, the planting of coconuts in 1642. From thereon, required the coconut industry grew to become a major crop of the country. millions of trees were bearing. ;j By 1910, Coconut now occupies 2.3 million hectares, providing livelihood to about 14 million people. The Philippines is the leading coconut producer and contributes about or 70% to the international trade in coconut products. oo beens EP Oe ee . Oconut belongs to the palm family, growing favourably within 20° north and south of the equator. éS high as 900 meters. It can thrive in altitude As a monocotyledon, coconut has neither / "Senior Deputy Administrator, Philippine Coconut Authority Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines