1437 Assessing the Utilization of Young-age Falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes] for Veneer Production Marina A. Alipon 1 *, Elvina O. Bondad 1 , Carl Anthony A. Lantican 1 , Dennis M. Gilbero 2 , and Juanito P. Jimenez Jr. 1 1 Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) Department of Science and Technology (DOST) College, Laguna 4031 Philippines 2 Forest and Wetland Research, Development, and Extension Center Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bislig City 8311 Surigao del Sur, Philippines This paper presents the mechanical properties, veneer recovery including the cost benefits, of 3-, 5-, and 7-yr-old falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes] for veneer production. Mechanical properties covered modulus of rupture (MOR), stress at the proportional limit, and modulus of elasticity (MOE) in static bending; compression parallel- and perpendicular-to-grain; shear; and hardness and toughness. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of age on these properties and the cost-benefits of converting the species at different ages, and to recommend the optimum age and price for the utilization of the species for veneer production. The experimental materials consisted of six plus-size trees each per age from superior seeds of known origin in Caraga, Philippines. Standard procedures for testing the strength properties of timber (ASTM D143-14) were followed. Veneering was conducted using a spindleless lathe with a fixed setting for each designated veneer thickness output. Gross veneer recovery was 52% for both 3- and 5-yr-olds and 55% for the 7-yr-old. Net recovery, on the other hand, was 46% for the 3- and 5-yr-olds while 49% for the 7-yr-old. Utilizing falcata trees as young as 3-yr-old can generate positive cash flows for veneering plants, making it a worthwhile investment. However, from the perspective of falcata farmers and plantation owners, selling at 3-yr-old would be unfavorable considering the low selling price. Keywords: cost-benefits, mechanical properties, veneer recovery, young-age falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes] *Corresponding Author: marina.alipon@fprdi.dost.gov.ph INTRODUCTION Falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes] is the most utilized industrial tree plantation species for veneering in the Philippines, specifically in the Caraga Region (Jimenez et al. 2015). Caraga is composed of five provinces and six cities and lies on the northeastern portion of Mindanao. It has a total land area of 18,846.97 km 2 , with 71.22% forestland and 28.78% alienable and disposable land. The region is comprised of mountainous areas and flat and rolling lands (https:// sites.google.com/a/tesda.gov.ph). Philippine Journal of Science 150 (6A): 1437-1450, December 2021 ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 27 Apr 2021