Terraces Beside Narra Trees, Part 2

Here are updated photos as of last weekend, April 24, 2016.
Earlier photos are posted in Terraces Beside Narra Trees, May 10, 2015.

Before and after we cleared the dried leaves; also repaired the misaligned stones.

And we added a new, 2nd layer of stones and small rocks on the main barrier. Remember that this used to be a small waterway, now totally blocked by a wide layer of stones to control soil erosion and minimize flash flooding. Some of flash flood water will be temporarily impounded by this structure, the excess water will simply overflow above the stones, or between these stones.

A thick layer of new and old leaves were deposited behind these stones. They won't go down the creek anymore, they will decompose there, to become new rich and organic top soil within weeks.

The cleared areas of dried leaves. Some small and young trees that are too close to each other were also removed.

Clearing thick dried leaves in a wide area also discourage some large creepers and crawlers like snakes from staying in the area as they have little cover.

Numbering the trees, part 2

April 9, 2016

Here are additional photos sent last week by Danny, in photo and the son of long time farm caretaker Nong Endring Paragas. This area is the gmelina part, far from my treehouse and are in the uplands already.

There is frequent stealing and unauthorized cutting of gmelina trees here, by charcoal makers and lumber sellers. Nong Endring is old enough to visit and watch this place regularly because of its distance plus the thick and tall cogons that get "cleaned" only if there is a big fire in the mountains. Danny helps but not everyday.

On the left, one of those gmelina trees that were cut by thieves, then grew to many new trunks. Danny numbered 5 of such trunks as they are at least 8 inches thick dbh. Middle and right, some of the big mahogany trees near the treehouse.

From the gmelina area, below is the burned area of the farm and further below it, not visible in the pictures, are the rich field, treehouse, and mahogany areas. Shows how far some of the gmelina area are and hence, difficult to monitor and guard, that's where many thieves come to cut and steal the trees.

April 16, 2016

More photos from Danny, courtesy of  my inaanak, Harjie Paragas. Thanks Harjie.

Grass fire, part 2

March 24, 2016

There was a big forest and grassfire that started in the public forest land last March 16 and ended the next day. The fire spread to other areas including near the upland dumpsite and materials recovery facility (MRF), various private farms. This is part of our farm, the fire did not cross the creek.

Ground view of the grass fire. Bad news because the fire affected many trees, although most of them will survive and regrow new leaves. Good news because the cogon, other grasses, vines there were very thick already that only a grassfire or huge grass cutters can remove them.

It used to be a rice field that Nong Endring cultivated for several years. Now that Nong Endring is old and he cannot till this wide area anymore, tall grasses have invaded the area.

This used to be the area of Fernando's house. He was not working for us, he just put a small house there and slept there at night, at day time he does many things outside the farm. I gave him a modest allowance for guarding the farm at night.

Thick layers of burned cogon and other grasses.

This used to be the cage for our chicken in the farm. Note the slightly elevated land via one layer of stone terrace.

Burned hose.

April 15, 2016

These are photos sent by Danny today. The affected trees in the upland in the grass and forest fire last month.

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See also:
On Grass Fire, April 17, 2014

Denuded mountains, March 31, 2009

From Forestland to Grassland, September 21, 2012  

Denuded Uplands, Western Pangasinan, February 17, 2015

Charcoal Economics, Part 2, May 10, 2015