Buli or Buri (Corypha Elata)

Tall majestic palms often distinctly identifiable from long distances with their crowns protruding through the surrounding treetops; grows well along riversides (dry, upper banks) and ideal for planting in former pond dikes or corner areas to mark property boundaries.

Dungon (Heritiera Littoralis)

A medium-sized tree, growing to about 20-30 meters, yielding a very hard wood that was used for building bridges and boats when the wood was still abundant. Mature trees have very prominent buttress roots (flat, canyon-like formations that form at the base of the tree). It has conspicuous nut-like fruits, which are ridged (as with a dorsal fin), shinny-green when fresh but chestnut brown when dried. Can be planted 2-5 feet away from the high water mark on the lower portions of reverted pond dikes or the edge of the mangrove forest which floods or tides only reach occassionaly.

photo source: http://tpbg.tfri.gov.tw/english/img/14-1-2_5.jpg

Nigi (Xylocarpium Granatum)

Medium sized trees that grow (up to 17m) along the river's edge or tidal creeks. Its large cannon ball-like fruit breaks up into several pieces that fit perfectly like a puzzle, each of which is a seed about the size of one's palm. In season, these seeds are found scattered along the beach in the hundreds. Very easy to germinate, these are ideal for planting at the edges or fringes of reverted ponds (5-10 feet away from the high water mark) in slightly elevated beds that remain damp by proximity to the water's edge.

photo source: http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/photos/1234.jpg

Piagau (Xylocarpium Moluccencis)

A small tree that becomes prominent when its leaves turn autumn red before shedding. Its seeds can also be found littered on the beach, are similar to the Nigi but are more pyramidal and less rounded on the edges. Seldom found on creek or river beds, these grow better in the dryer, landward edges of the mangrove sections since they are less tolerant of salt. On a property of reverted ponds, these may be planted on the edge of the pond sections farthest from the beach, possibly on the lower banks of pond dikes

More photos, characteristics, and planting suggestions on each of these species will again be posted in the future. For questions pertaining to particular trees, write us at mangroves@essc.org.ph.