2 Narra trees earthballed from Quirino Ave. to Taft Ave. 

At least two Narra trees from Quirino Avenue were transferred to the Hidden Garden at Taft Avenue through the process of earthballing.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, workers used a crane to lift and transplant the Narra trees at the Hidden Garden. Several pomelo, jackfruit, and santol trees have been successfully transplanted to the site earlier.

Earthballing is a process where trees are excavated along with their roots. The said trees were transplanted to clear the way for the upcoming Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) project.

An expert from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the trees are treated with hormones to take care of their roots as the department is targeting to transplant over 90 trees to various parts of the City of Manila.

“If properly earthballed, there is a high chance that it will survive, [especially] with proper maintenance, regular watering, and of course, our use of a rooting hormone, which could guarantee around 80% of survival,” said Arturo Calderon of DENR-NCR’s conservation development division

While the DENR could not provide an exact cost for earthballing each tree, officials stressed that financial expenses are secondary to ensuring the trees survive the relocation.

But not all trees along Quirino Avenue can be saved. The DENR revealed that 16 of the standing trees are already dead, while roughly 500 others have significant defects.

Among those scheduled to be cut down is a decaying tree at the corner of Mabini Street, which has grown around a utility pole and poses a structural hazard, the report said.

“For those trees that were cut, if they were to be transplanted, they wouldn't survive because some are already decaying, resulting in a very low survival rate,” said Norlito Eneran, DNER assistant secretary for legal affairs, enforcement, human resources, and field operations-Luzon.

But Sampaguita vendor Milagros Pedrera expressed her dismay after the trees were cut down, as they provided shade for them.

“I’m hurt because they were a huge help for me, especially for my grandkids who were playing under the shade,” she emotionally said.

One of the trees expected to be cut down is an American Kapok or Cotton Tree because of the hazard it poses.

“There is already decay. We might not see it physically, but based on my technical assessment, that cavity will serve as an entry point for diseases,” said forester Joel Rosal.

The DENR noted that it would try to earthball every tree as much as possible. But if not possible, it assured that trees will be planted in place of those that were cut down.

But experts warn that even if these trees are successfully transplanted elsewhere, the removal will inevitably impact the areas left behind. This is particularly concerning for localities like Quirino Avenue, which is already highly prone to flooding.

“We expect that Metro Manila will be flooded once again, submerging areas particularly where the trees were cut down,” said Enjo Sarmiento, researcher and coordinator at the Center for Environmental Concerns.

The DENR said flood mitigating measures are not only focused on replanting, but on improving the infrastructure, such as the drainage system.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA News