Editing Terminalia catappa (section)

== Cultivation ==

=== Soil and water ===

In its coastal habitat, ''Terminalia catappa'' grows in moderately fertile, well-drained soils and shows a preference for sands and loamy sands. A soil reaction around pH 5–7 is reported, with tolerance of a broader range, and established trees tolerate saline soils, salt spray, and periods of drought.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> Drainage remains important: salt and drought tolerance in an established tree should not be treated as permission to keep a newly planted tree dry. Water young trees through establishment, then adjust irrigation to rainfall, soil drainage, and the tree's seasonal leaf response.

=== Sun and humidity ===

Full sun suits the open coastal habit. The commonly described cultivation range is the lowland tropics below about 800 m, with mean annual temperatures commonly around 21–32 °C and annual rainfall around 1,500–3,400 mm; the same account gives a broader temperature tolerance of roughly 10–36 °C.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> These broad figures are environmental context rather than a guaranteed hardiness range. Give the tree strong light, free air movement, and enough atmospheric moisture or irrigation to prevent establishment stress, especially outside humid lowland conditions.

=== Seasonal changes ===

The tree can shed its leaves suddenly, commonly twice a year, rather than keeping an unchanging canopy.<sup>[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup> A refoliage sequence can occur as a local seasonal response, but the timing should not be imposed as a fixed calendar: temperature, rainfall, and site exposure alter the rhythm. Reduce irrigation only when the root zone and local season justify it; do not confuse seasonal leaf loss with drought death.