i103. HARVESTING COCONUT STEMS By: fonso 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 of 6 million trees annually. For technical and economic reasons, * . it is necessary to properly « a * | | dispose coconut trunks, hence the great desirability to develop economic uses of the coconut logs. going on along this line, Investigations are now and some limited experiences have been obtained on coconut stem logging, | as discussed in this paper. Introduction The coconut, Coces nucifera L. has been cultivated in the Philippines even before the coming of the Spaniards. Spanish authorities, The realizing the economic importance, the planting cf coconuts in 1642. From thereon, : required the coconut industry grew to become a major crop of the country. millions of trees were bearing. i By 1910, Coconut now cccupies 2.3 million hectares, providing livelihood to about 14 million people. The Philippines is the leading coconut producer and contributes about 5 . . . . 10% to the international trade in coconut products. ee At or , ? L Ceccnut belongs to the palm family, growing favourably within 20" ° , north and south of the equator. éS hich as 900 meters. tS . « Los ; It can thrive in altitude AS a menocotyledgon, . mer see Deputy Administrator, . . . ‘ Philippine Coconut Authority itiman, Quezon City, Philippines i coconut has neither / er