Vatica mangachapoiMangachapui

Vatica mangachapoi is a dipterocarp of the coastal forests of Hainan, Vietnam and the Philippines, and one of very few members of that mostly rainforest family that will grow on exposed sandy coastal ground. It builds a dense crown of narrow leathery leaves on a straight trunk, reaching 15 to 20 metres.

In Hainan it is planted deliberately as a coastal shelterbelt species. Small fragrant white flowers are followed by the winged fruit characteristic of the family, which spin as they fall.

Specifications

• Height15 to 20 metres, occasionally to 30 metres
• Width6 to 10 metres
• Native toHainan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia
• FoliageNarrow, leathery, glossy oblong leaves held densely; evergreen
• Growth rateSlow to moderate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers free-draining sandy soils and tolerates poor coastal sands
• LightFull sun
• WaterModerate; needs regular water through establishment
• ClimateThrives in humid tropical and coastal regions

Additional Features

• FlowersSmall fragrant white to pale pink flowers, followed by winged fruit that spin as they fall
• UsesCoastal shelterbelts, windbreaks, park and campus canopy and amenity forestry
• SpacingPlant 6 to 8 metres apart for a shelterbelt or continuous canopy
• Low MaintenanceFormative pruning to establish a clear trunk, then little attention
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust in coastal tropical conditions
• Salt ToleranceGrows on exposed coastal sands and tolerates salt-laden wind
• Wind TolerancePlanted specifically as a coastal windbreak in southern China

The Mangachapui is a rare coastal-hardy dipterocarp for tropical shelterbelts and shoreline canopy.