Tree of the month (PART 2) Pagatpat

Physical Characteristics

Pagatpat is a small-sized tree that grows to a height of two to five meters and a diameter of three to 30 centimeters. It is distinguished by the swollen basal portion of the trunk, at least when young.

The aerial roots are distinctly larger than Sonneratia caseolaris which may reach about 60 centimeters in length. However, in some places along the riverbanks where it grows on soft mud, much larger air roots are produced reaching more than two meters.

The species has hard, rounded fruits, depressed at the apex, three to four centimeters in diameter, and surrounded nearly to the middle by the calyx tube, the lobes which are still present when the fruit is mature.

The fruit contains many seeds. The leaves are elliptic-oblong which has no prominent veins, thick, leathery, and rounded at the apex.

Two or three flower buds are usually found together in the inflorescence stalk. The flowers have red petals, in contrast with the greenish or yellowish-white surface of the sepals. In plantation, it forms a straight bole due to the effect of uniform spacing. However in sparse natural strands, it forms into a small, branchy tree.

Locations

Pagatpat can be found in many areas of the Philippines, including Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol.

Method of Propagation

Pagatpat is propagated by seeds only.

Tree Management

Pagatpat thrives on seaward zone which is the portion of the swamp daily affected by tidal inundation, including neap tides. It is a true mangrove species and grows on soils ranging from sandy to sandy-loam, mudflat or coralline type.

Traditional Uses

The fruit of a pagatpat is applied as a poultice to relieve sprain. The fermented juice is believed to check hemorrhages. Because of their acidity, they are sometimes used as a substitute for vinegar.

Contemporary Uses

The wood of the pagatpat is used for firewood, charcoal, piles, posts, poles, railroad ties, paving blocks, for ships, bridge and wharf construction, doors, sliding, ship planking and decking, furniture and cabinet works, and musical instruments.

The wood contains a small amount of salt, making the use of copper nails and screws necessary in construction.

The air roots are used as floats for fishnets and being corky in nature are employed in the manufacture of inner soles of shoes and can be used as substitute from cork and pith.

Like any other mangrove species, pagatpat can also stabilize the coastal zones by reducing typhoon and storm wind damage, and by preventing erosion. In many areas of the Philippines, the leaves are used as forage for livestock during summer when grasses is very limited.

Fruits raw or cooked with cheese-like taste are eaten.

How to plant your pagatpat seedling

Clear the area where you want to plant your seedling of 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 pagatpat 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].