TREE OF THE MONTH (PART 2) Bakauan Lalake - Rhizophora apiculata Blume

Physical Characteristics

The leaves of the bakauan lalaki are dark, glossy, green, opposite, apex acuminate, ovate-lanceolate, and 7.9 to 19 centimeters long and 3.9 to 8.8 centimeters wide. Stipules and petioles are reddish or purplish.

Its flower stalks are very short, shorter than the petioles; two-flowered on axils below the leaves, pale-greenish yellow; bracteoles at the base of the flower, stalk complete, connate bulbous, heavily fissured, over-all brown corky appearance, petals glabrous, oblong, membranous, not hooded or involute.

The fruit is distinctly small when mature, cork-shaped, and rough-textured.

Locations

Bakauan lalaki is found in mangroves, coastal swamps, and along tidal riversides, up to 20 meter altitude throughout the Philippines and nearly always occupying a dominant role in littoral forest. Its supply is abundant, although the more settled areas, the depleted the relatively large trees are since they are cut for firewood. It is planted in the swamps of Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan, where there are fishponds, for windbreaks and as protection against sea waves.

Methods of Propagation

Bakauan lalaki can be propagated by propagules, wildlings, and potted seedlings. It is best to collect the mature propagules while these are still attached to the mother tree. This ensures minimal incidence of insect infestation and burn injury. The mature seeds are easily distinguished by the whitish ring-like mark left on the portion of the hypocotyls adjacent to the pericarp. Pericarps of mature seeds are easily removed and the hypocotyls are sturdy and robust. Wildlings growing vigorously with at least one pair of leaves can be collected by pulling them gently to extract the propagules intact with the root system.

Contemporary Uses

Bakauan lalaki is used for foundation piles, salt-water piling, beams, joists, holders, or outriggers of dugouts. It is an excellent firewood and charcoal. The bark is used in extracting cutch that is used for tanning and dyeing purposes. It is also suitable for mine timbers, house posts, cabinet works, furniture, and flooring.

How to plant your bakauan lalaki seedling

Clear the area where you want to plant your seedling with unwanted weeds and debris. Make sure that a one-meter radius is kept free from other vegetation. Dig a plant hole with dimensions of at least 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Plant the seedling at proper depth. Root collar should be at level with or a little below the ground surface with the seedling oriented upward. Fill the hole with top or garden soil and press soil firmly around the base of the seedling. In plantation-making, seedlings should maintain a two-meter distance between seedlings if planted in a row of a three-meter distance from one strip to the next strip.

How to take care of your bakauan lalaki seedling

Remove grass and other unwanted vegetation and cultivate the soil around the base of the seedling (50 cm radius) once in every quarter for two to three years. Place mulch around the base of the seedling (maintaining the 50 cm radius and using cut grass, leaves, and other suitable materials as mulch base). Prune the branches at most 50 percent of the crown depth, preferably during dry season, and ensure that when pruning, you do not injure the bark. Remove infected or infested vegetation nearby to stop plant diseases from spreading and contaminating your seedling. Monitor regularly the growth of the seedling for presence of pests and diseases.

Data about native tree species are featured by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. For comments and suggestions, email [email protected].