Oriental Mangrove (Kandelia obovata)

• Scientific Name: Kandelia obovata — Oriental Mangrove.

• Native Home: Southern China, Taiwan, northern Vietnam, and southern Japan.

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• Height: Typically 3–7 m, depending on growing conditions.

• Lifespan: Several decades; a reliable average lifespan is not well established.

Uses and Harvesting

• Timber: Hard, durable wood traditionally used for fuelwood and some local construction.

• Harvesting: Wood and bark have been collected for local uses; harvesting should comply with local mangrove-protection regulations.

• Age to Harvest: No universal commercial harvest age; growth depends on salinity, tidal conditions, and site productivity.

• Products: Fuelwood, traditional tannin materials, and coastal-restoration seedlings.

History and Global Production

• Traditional Use: Mangrove wood has traditionally supplied fuel and practical materials for coastal communities.

• Global Spread: Native to subtropical East Asian coastlines, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and southern Japan. It grows on sheltered tidal flats and estuaries and is used in mangrove restoration because it tolerates relatively cool conditions.

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