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 An Activist's Approach
Tree spiking has become a common form of retaliation against the loggers. Tree spiking involves driving nails into the trunks
of trees, making it extremely dangerous to cut down. Trying to cut the trees down with a chainsaw could maim the toolūs wielder
once the chain hits a nail, breaks and whips the operator at high speed. If the log survives the cutting, once it reaches
a sawmill, the nail could shatter the sawmill blade and wound workers.
Armed with nails, activists believe this is a last resort effort to save what remains of the Philippines' forests. Tree spiking
began in December of 1994, in Bataan National Park, where logging is prohibited but rampant. The idea of sabotaging tree cutters
was introduced by visiting US green activists and now former members of the University of the Philippines Mountaineers are
promoting it. Activists have publicly announced that they are selective in their spiking. "We only spike trees along riverbanks
and trees in national parks. Tree spiking is a direct action that creates a defense for the tree."
Forest, Conservation and Logging Workers
Forest and conservation workers perform a variety of tasks to reforest and conserve
timberlands and to maintain forest facilities, such as roads and campsites. Some forest workers, called tree planters, use
digging and planting tools called dibble bars and hoedads to plant seedlings in reforesting timberland areas. Forest workers
also remove diseased or undesirable trees with power saws or handsaws, spray trees with insecticides and fungicides to kill
insects and to protect against disease, and apply herbicides on undesirable brush to reduce competing vegetation. In private
industry, forest workers usually working under the direction of professional foresters, paint boundary lines, assist with
controlled burning, aid in marking and measuring trees, and keep tallies of trees examined and counted. Those who work for
State and local governments or who are under contract with them also clear away brush and debris from camp trails, roadsides,
and camping areas. Some forest workers clean kitchens and rest rooms at recreational facilities and campgrounds.
Other forest and conservation workers work in forest nurseries, sorting out tree seedlings and discarding those not meeting
standards of root formation, stem development, and condition of foliage.
Some forest workers are employed on tree farms, where they plant, cultivate, and harvest many different kinds of trees. Their
duties vary with the type of farm. Those who work on specialty farms, such as farms growing Christmas or ornamental trees
for nurseries, are responsible for shearing treetops and limbs to control the growth of the trees under their care, to increase
the density of limbs, and to improve the shapes of the trees. In addition, these workers’ duties include planting the
seedlings, spraying to control surrounding weed growth and insects, and harvesting the trees.
Other forest workers gather, by hand or with the use of handtools, products from the woodlands, such as decorative greens,
tree cones and barks, moss, and other wild plant life. Still others tap trees for sap to make syrup or chemicals.
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