Suitability of Seven Oil Yielding Australian Tree Species in Bukidnon, Philippines

Willie P. Abasolo; Teresa D. Salisid; Armando M. Palijon; Enrique L. Tolentino Jr.; Ecosystems and Development Journal

Willie P. Abasolo Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
Teresa D. Salisid Ecosystems Research and Development Services, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CARAGA Region, Ambago, Butuan City, 8600
Armando M. Palijon Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, CFNR, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Enrique L. Tolentino Jr. Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, CFNR, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Ecosystems and Development Journal

Keywords: Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus staigeriana, essential oil, percent survival, stem diameter, total biomass

Abstract

The suitability of seven Australian essential oil producing trees
in the Philippines was tested in order to identify the candidate
species for plantation establishment. Percent survival, average
stem diameter, total height, total biomass and essential oil
percentage were used as indicators. Survival ranged from 40%
to 91.25% while stem diameter and total height were from 25 to
40 cm and 25 to 35 m, respectively. Total biomass ranged from
100 to 1200 gcm–3 whereas percent oil yield from the leaves was
from 0.2 to 3.4%. If the main purpose of plantation
establishment is for wood and timber production, Corymbia
citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson is the candidate
species because of its stem volume. But if the main consideration
is for essential oil production, Eucalyptus staigeriana F. Muell.
ex Bailey is the species of choice because it produced as much
as 3.4% of essential oil at 30 months of age.