Talisay City Sprawling Cottons


Cottony fiber from a lone nearby Doldol tree sprawled at the grounds of Talisay City Hall.

The fiber or "floss" of Doldol trees are indispensable materials for the manufacture of mattresses, cushion, life jackets, etc.

From afar, the fiber may pass as snowy flakes.

Commonly called "Kapok" tree but to local folks this is Doldol. It may grow as tall as 70 meters high and highly useful for local residents from its young top down to its roots.

One Kapok or Doldol tree (other countries call it White Satin Cotton Tree) could produce as much as 20 kilos of cotton.

Products from Doldol cottons are difficult to manufacture as extraction from the tree is labor intensive. Long exposures to Doldol fiber or floss pose danger to the eyes, nose and throat.