GUIDE IN ESTIMATING THE AGE OF COCONUT

JOHN LEVY E. RAMIENTOS, MPA

Coconut Production and Regulation Officer (CPRO) III

PCA REGION XI – DAVAO REGION

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED:

HEIGHT – estimated height of the coconut

LEAF SCARS – number of leaf scars/meter

OPENED LEAVES – number of total opened leaves

1.) Estimate the height of the coconut tree from the collar girth to the crown.

Ex: Height (H) = 20 m

2.) Measure one (1) meter of the trunk starting from one (1) meter above the ground.

Count the number of scars within the one (1) meter length

Ex: No of scars/m (S) = 36

3.) Estimate the number of open leaves in the crown

Add to the estimated number the factor of four (4) to take care of the spears

Ex: No of leaves (L) = 40 + 4 = 44

FORMULA:

(H x S) + L

12

​

+ 4

X =

Where:

​

X = age

H = Estimated height of coconut

S = no of leaf scars/meter

L = Total leaves (open + 4 whorl)

4 = factor (years prior to bole formation)

12 = no of leaves produced per year

​

Given: Height (H) of coconut is + 20 meters

Number of leaf scars/ meter (S) is = 36

Number of leaves in the crown is (L) = 44

​

H x S + L

12

​

+ 4

X =

X = 20 x 36 + 44 + 4

12

= 720 + 44 + 4

12

= 764 + 4 = 63.66 + 4 = 67.66 + 7 years

12

​

The margin of error is + or – 7 years, hence, the actual age of the tree could be between 60 to 74 years old.

THANK YOU!

JOHN LEVY E. RAMIENTOS, MPA

CPRO III

regionxi@pca.gov.ph

(082) 293-0114; (082) 293-0384