Nurse Climax Tree Technology

Over the years MSBFI has developed and successfully implemented a system of tree farming specifically suited to tropical forests.

The nurse-climax technology is based on the use of fast growing legumes as nurse trees, while climax trees are timber species of fruit trees. The legumes are planted at higher densities to serve as a shade for the young climax trees, enrich the soil and supress the growth of grass. Fast-growing nurse trees such as ipil-ipil or acacia auriculiformis increase the ability of the soil compost and their root system has the ability of the soil as their leaves contribute to the soil compost and thier root system has the ability to fix nitrogen into the soil.

The nurse trees are cut after four to five years when cogon is completely suppressed and the climax species like narra, mahogany, eucalyptus, mangium, kalantas, gmelina, etc. are already able to grow without the danger of fire or getting overcome by cogon and other computing vegetations.

Reforestation and Plantation Development

Since its inception in 1977, MSBFI has contracte over 13,000 hectares of land for reforestation all over Luzon. To date, a total of 13,344 hectares have been successfully reforested.

Biomass for Industrial Boilers

Wood derived from the thinnings of nurse trees is sold to companies with industrial boilers. Wood as fuel has gained more acceptance by industrial plants due to the highcost of crude oil and difficulty of foreign exchange. The proximity of the plantations to these industrial boilers has given MSBFI a distinct advantage over other fuel sources.

MSBFI supplies fuelwood to food processors, textile cleaners, and tile factories.

Fruit trees for Progress

The trust of the government on agro-forestry development has placed the MSBFI into the mainstream of progress. A major portion of our nursery's production is bought by private corporations and individuals who have tried MSBFI quality seedlings and tested its ability to produce them in large quantities.

Our nursery of fruit trees includes guaple, seedless atis, giant duhat, macopa, Davao pomelo, mangoes, lansones, American lemon, starapple, castanes, guyatis and pink atis.

By-Products of Reforestation

MSBFI's tree farming technology has spawned a number of income producing activities, which in term generated employment opportunities for residents around these projects. Activities range from leafmeal for poultry, swine and cattle; biomass for industrial boilers; charcoal for industrial and household consumption; composting for organic fertilizers, and others. Thinnings from nurse-trees can generate more than sufficient revenue to finance the maintenance and protection of the climax trees until their maturity. Excess revenue are plowed back into the project for the planting of adjoining denuded areas for reforestation.

The MSBFI approach to forest utilization makes use of the entire tree. Leaves are used for life stock; twigs, branches and the trunk are used for fuelwood, charcoal, strandboards, etc.

Consultancy Services

The expertise that MSBFI has accumulated over the years in the conceptualization, planning, development and establishment of reforestation projects has enabled it to branch out into consultancy services on watershed rehabilitation, agro-forestry, park development, private land plantation and landscaping.

MSBFI is an accredited foresting consultant of the Asian Development Bank.

MSBFI was the recipient of a contract awarded by the Economic Support Fund Secretariat to undertake the preparation of a five year master plan for the development of the 10,000 ha. Olongapo City Watershed, which is funded by the USAID. The Project development plan is unique as it incorporates forest rehabilitation, livelihood programs and self-sustainability after a period of time.

MSBFI services also include tree surgery. Ensuring a tree's growth sometimes calls for the need for specialized care. MSBFI is one of the few companies that has a resident tree surgeon whose expertise is valuable for such needs.

Nursing and Seedling Production

The MSBFI nursery is equipped with modern filling and sowing machine and greenhouses that can propagate seedlings in large quantities.

MSBFI has consistently produced quality seedlings for its projects and clients. Th high quality of our seedlings is proven by the low rate of seedling mortality.

 

Research and Development

MSBFI has consistently updated its technology by exploring other viable opportunities relevant to its objectives through extensive research and application. Since 1980, MSBFI has conducted over 40 comprehensive research studies on the following concerns.

- Silvicultural biomass production

- Growth behavior and survival of various plantation species using different cultural practices

- Organic compost production using different decomposing activators

MSBFI also has research tie-ups with the oxford University Forest Institute of fuelwood species at the Mt. Samat Rehabilitation Project. In the course of its continuos quest for improvement and new opportunities, MSBFI has successfully developed a composting process utilizing organic activators to facilitate the decomposition of sawdust and chicken manure. As a result of this study, MASBFI was able to eliminate the need to import peat and other potting materials.

Seed and Garden Center

MSBFI has developed its own system of collection, processing and storage. It has also made a name not only as a major source of seeds, but as an exporter as well. Seeds gathered from the MSBFI plantations are for exportable quality and have been supplied to Sbah, Kuala Lumpur and India. MSBFI also stocks seeds of exotic species like acacia mangium and acacia auriculiformis which in the past, used to be imported from abroad.

Our retail outlet in Quezon City sells vegetable seeds, fruit seeds and seeds of forest trees for home lot and commercial scale planters. It carries choice fruit tree saplings, as well as ornamental and exotic plants. Its composting material, the product of extensive scientific research is considered outstanding and is guaranteed to bring excellent results. The seed and Garden Center is a one-stop-shop for all your planting needs.