Preferred characteristics of multipurpose tree species : a case study with lowland and upland farmers in Leyte, Philippines

As a source of food, lowland households preferred Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit), which possesses the following characteristics: huge canopy, huge straight trunk that can be made into lumber, numerous branches, serrate leaves measuring 19.6 x 7.5 cm that can be used as fodder; and big primary and secondary roots. Upland households also preferred Mangifera indica (mango), which also has a huge canopy; tall, large, and straight trunk; many branches; elliptical leaves measuring 24 x 2.5 cm; and big primary and secondary roots. For fuelwood, households in both villages preferred Leucaena leucocephala. Lowland farmers wanted a fuelwood tree with a large canopy, a few big stems, big branches, serrate leaves measuring 10 x 4 cm, and big secondary roots. Upland respondents also preferred a huge canopy but wanted numerous and small, straight stems and branches; elliptical leaves measuring 15 x 5 cm for fodder; and big primary and numerous secondary roots. For lumber, lowland households preferred Shorea guisok, with its small canopy and branches positioned high up the tree; big, straight trunk; obovate leaf form (5 x 10 cm); and big primary and secondary roots. Upland farmers preferred Vitex parviflora with the same canopy type as S. guisok, which has a tall huge trunk with big branches high up the tree; elliptical leaf form measuring 15 x 4 cm.; and strong primary and secondary roots. As a fodder tree, both lowland and upland respondents preferred L. leucocephala. They specified a huge canopy, many small straight stems, ovate leaves measuring 1 x 0.5 cm, and big primary and numerous secondary roots. Households in both villages preferred to plant trees that provide food in their home gardens. Lowland farmers chose to plant fuelwood tree species in the home gardens; upland farmers planted them in field margins. Lumber trees were planted in field margins and fodder trees on the farm. Planting materials for fruit trees were obtained from relatives, neighbors, existing trees, or by purchase. For fuelwood species, planting materials were taken from Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA). Lumber trees were raised from wildlings. (Author abstract)