🌳 Bohol's Man-Made Forest: A Cool, Green Tunnel of Mahogany

🗓 Updated for 2025 | 📍 Bilar–Loboc Boundary, Bohol

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🍃 A Green Escape After the Butterflies

After leaving the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center, we drove toward Tagbilaran and soon entered one of my favorite roadside spots in Bohol—the Bilar Man-Made Forest.

🌧️ It was raining during our visit, and for once, I was thankful. The rain made the forest even more magical—cooler, greener, and filled with the smell of wet earth and wood.

You’ll know you’re getting close when the road darkens, almost like someone dimmed the world. The mahogany trees form a canopy overhead, filtering the light and casting deep shadows.

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🌲 What Makes This Forest Special?

• 🌳 A 2-kilometer stretch of purely mahogany trees
• 📸 A favorite photo stop for tourists and road-trippers
• 🌬️ Naturally cool and calming—especially when it rains
• 🚗 Located on the Loboc–Bilar road, it’s hard to miss!

This reforestation project was a response to the widespread deforestation caused by illegal logging and kaingin (slash-and-burn farming). The forest was planted by volunteers and students decades ago and has since become one of the iconic sights in Bohol.

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🌱 Mahogany Debate: Good or Bad?

There’s been some debate about the use of mahogany, which is not native to the Philippines.

🌳 Pros:

• Grows fast and strong
• Provides immediate forest cover
• Prevents erosion

🌿 Cons:

• Not ideal for local biodiversity
• Can disrupt the natural growth of native trees

“Would you rather have mahogany trees or nothing at all?” — This question stayed with me after our visit. Personally, I was just glad to be surrounded by trees, especially in a country where forests are fast disappearing.

Regardless of the debate, the forest has become a symbol of reforestation—a visual reminder of what community effort can achieve.

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📷 2025 Travel Tips

📍 Where It Is: Along the Loay Interior Road between Loboc and Bilar
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Early morning or after a light rain—when the forest is misty and cool
⚠️ Safety Tip: Vehicles often stop for photos—be careful when stepping onto the road
🎒 Bring: Camera, water, light jacket (especially on rainy days)

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💬 The Bilar Man-Made Forest may only be a short stop, but it’s one that lingers in memory. Whether you admire it for its beauty or ponder its environmental impact, it remains a peaceful, shady break from Bohol’s sunny tourist trail.