Tabulian

 

Tabulian is a rare tree species found in Sitio Tabulian-Tabulian in Barangay Culasian, Rizal, Palawan at the southern portion of Palawan. According to a native Palaw'an, there are only 50 mature trees remaining in the rolling hills of Culasian. Tabulian could not be found in other places in Palawan.

Foresters in Palawan State University conducted a study in Culasian way back in 2006. Tabulian was one of the trees inventoried in the area during the forest assessment. No scientific name, however, could be supplied for the tree which appears to be thriving only in that place. It may be new to science. 

The tree is so sturdy and almost immune to the stresses of nature, except that time when a strong typhoon lashed the place many decades ago. The local Palaw'an panglima or tribe leader recounted that many members of their tribe died during that freak incident inflicted by nature. The place has been without any storm for a long time. It must have been a very strong typhoon because many of the sturdy tabulian trees were uprooted (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Fallen tabulian tree revealing the above ground root system.

These fallen trees are now being harvested by the Palaw'ans to help them meet their needs as their culture gradually merges with the ways of the lowlanders. These are sold sold as fence posts at PhP15 apiece. 

Fig. 2. Palaw'ans hack away on the fallen tabulian trees to produce piles of similarly-sized fence posts.

Amazing Properties of Tabulian

The native Palaw’ans living in Sitio Tabulian-Tabulian and the migrant communities in the lowlands discovered the tree’s amazing properties. Tabulian appears to have a certain preference for nutrients found in the shallow portions of the soil. The minerals absorbed may be the reason for the incredible hardness of its trunk. For this reason, tabulian is used by the local folks as posts for fences, able to withstand years of use as it is not attacked by termites nor get rotten with continuous exposure to the rainy and highly humid climate in the uplands.

According to Adok Desig, the tribe’s chieftain, an arm size pole of tabulian could last ten years or even more. Mature ones will probably last for decades or even centuries. The barangay chairman says it could be tougher than iron and could serve as a core structure in buildings if encased in cement. Others use it as a roller, to flatten the soil in rice paddies (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. A heavy farm roller made of tabulian trunk.

The staff at Palawan State University, however, noted that the tabulian will rot once somebody urinates on it. The methane in urine must have something to do with it.

Aside from serving as sturdy posts, tabulian is also a fire-resistant tree species. This property makes tabulian a good buffer to protect much more fire-sensitive tree species (although fire has also positive benefits of fire as earlier pointed out). However, this fire-resistant property makes it a poor fuel wood candidate.

Other Characteristics of Tabulian

Many stands of young tabulian trees grow near streams, showing its affinity to adequate water source. But large trees are found in higher elevations, standing magnificently over other tree species. The largest found in the known range is almost 9 meters (8.8 m) in circumference with an estimated diameter of almost 3 meters. It would take about five people, hands joined together, to encircle and hug the tree (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. The largest remaining tree in Sitio Tabulian-tabulian.

Tabulian has hardy seeds that are tough to crack but fungi appears to aid in softening the hard shell. It has wide, alternately arranged leaves (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5. Tabulian seed and leaves.

Legend of Tabulian

Tabulian is believed by the native Palaw’ans to have come from the neighboring island of Malaysia. Their ancestors narrated that tabulian was given as dowry by a Malaysian who married a local lass in Sitio Tabulian-Tabulian. It is possible then that tabulian is also growing in Malaysia.

Current Status of Tabulian

Although Adok Bisig estimates the young Tabulian trees in thousands, there are only about 50 large trees remaining in Sitio Balukanad. For this reason, tabulian is probably one of the endangered tree species in mainland Palawan or even the Philippines. It will be a pity to lose this rare tree species with amazing properties.

©12 March 2011 Patrick A. Regoniel

Source: edited from Facts About Tabulian: A Rare Tree Species with Amazing Properties