Yakal (Shorea astylosa)
Definition
Yakal, scientifically named Shorea astylosa, is a large hardwood tree of the family Dipterocarpaceae endemic to the Philippines. Its dense, durable timber has long been used for construction and furniture, and like many native dipterocarps it is under pressure from logging and habitat loss.
Identities (Wikipedia/Wikidata/DBpedia)
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorea_astylosa
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3547457
- DBpedia: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Shorea_astylosa
Also Known As
Yakal in Filipino; Shorea astylosa (scientific binomial); sometimes grouped in the timber trade with other native Shorea hardwoods locally called yakal.
Examples and Analogies
Yakal occupies a place in Philippine forestry comparable to narra among premium native hardwoods, though it belongs to the dipterocarp family rather than the legumes. Its straight trunk and hard, dark wood have made it a traditional choice for structural beams, posts, and boat parts, much as teak is prized elsewhere in Asia.
Usage Scenarios
Builders and furniture makers seek yakal for framing, flooring, and tool handles where strength and wear resistance matter. Foresters encounter it in remaining lowland dipterocarp forests, and conservationists cite it in discussions of threatened Philippine timber species.
Strategies
Conservation strategies center on protecting remaining lowland dipterocarp forests, regulating harvests through DENR permitting, and promoting reforestation and plantations of native hardwoods to ease pressure on wild stands.
Security and Safety Measures
Timber harvesting is regulated under Philippine forestry laws, with permits, transport documents, and anti-illegal-logging enforcement protecting remaining yakal-bearing forests.
Historical Context
Dipterocarps dominated commercial logging in the twentieth-century Philippines, and yakal was among the native hardwoods tapped as old-growth forests were opened. Widespread deforestation after World War II sharply reduced stands, pushing the species and its relatives into conservation concern.
Challenges and Controversies
Habitat conversion, illegal logging, and slow regeneration threaten wild populations. Confusion with other Shorea species sold as yakal complicates monitoring, and reliable data on remaining stands remain limited.
Related Topic
Narra Tree