Charcoal Economics, Part 2

Updating this blog post from the original version last November 28, 2014. Revenues from charcoal help in paying the salary of our caretakers Nong Endring Paragas and his son, Danny. The DENR and locals do not complain of "illegal cutting" as the fallen trees, big branches are from our planted trees, not from the public forest land.

Below, some of the trunks ready for charcoal making. They are big, right, but crooked, not good for lumber production.

New wood prepared. Standing is Mama Pitong, assisted by his son. Photos taken May 9, 2015. Wood, then  covered by rice straw, then  covered by soil, supported by coconut leaves so that the soil does not erode.

I didn't know that camote (sweet potato) thrives in a previous charcoal pit, like this one.

Pruning and cutting trees that are too close to each other is necessary, otherwise no or very few trees can hope to become big and appropriate for lumber production someday. We have too many of these small, medium-size trees; generally they just grew on their  own. Using them for charcoal making is the wise thing to do.

See also:
Denuded mountains, March 31, 2009 
New Upland Dwellers and the DENR, August 21, 2013
From Forestland to Grassland, September 21, 2012 
Charcoal Economics, February 23, 2014
On Grass Fire, April 17, 2014