African Talisay

The African Talisay (Terminalia mantaly) has become the signature tree of premium Philippine developments. Walk along Ayala Avenue in Makati and you’ll see them lining the sidewalks. Drive through BGC and they shade the pedestrian areas. Visit any Ayala Land project — from Nuvali to Cebu Business Park — and this tree defines the landscape character.

There’s a reason developers pay premium prices for this species: the distinctive tiered, horizontal branching creates an architectural form that’s impossible to fake. Even young specimens have that layered umbrella silhouette that signals “designed landscape.”

Botanical Background

Terminalia mantaly belongs to the Combretaceae family and is native to Madagascar, where it grows in dry deciduous forests.¹ The species was named by French botanist Henri Perrier de la Bâthie, who documented Madagascar’s flora extensively in the early 1900s.

In its native habitat, African Talisay reaches 10-20 meters in height, though exceptional specimens can grow to 25 meters.² The tree is semi-deciduous — it may drop leaves during extended dry periods but quickly recovers with the rains.

Key Identifying Features

Tiered branching: Distinctly horizontal layers, creating a pagoda-like silhouette
Crown shape: Broad, umbrella-like canopy at maturity
Leaves: Clustered at branch tips, obovate, 5-10cm long
Bark: Smooth gray when young, becoming slightly fissured with age
Growth pattern: Single trunk with whorled branching

Where You’ll See It in the Philippines

African Talisay has become the default “prestige tree” for corporate and high-end residential developments:

Makati CBD

Ayala Avenue sidewalks — the most iconic planting, uniform specimens lining both sides
Ayala Triangle Gardens — mature specimens providing shade

Bonifacio Global City

High Street and central pedestrian areas
Mixed with Rain Trees (Samanea saman) in some sections

Megaworld Developments

Eastwood City, Quezon City
McKinley Hill, Taguig

Provincial Projects

Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park
Iloilo Business Park

Premium Subdivisions

Forbes Park gate areas
Alabang — both Ayala Alabang and Filinvest portions

The tree’s association with these developments has made it aspirational for homeowners who want that “Ayala look” in their own gardens.

Why Developers Choose It

Instant Architectural Impact — Unlike most trees that take years to develop character, African Talisay shows its signature form even as a young specimen. A 2-meter tree already has that tiered look.

Predictable Form — The species grows true to type. Developers can order 50 specimens and expect uniformity, crucial for avenue plantings.

Drought Tolerance — Once established, requires minimal irrigation. Important for commercial properties where maintenance budgets are controlled.

Clean Habit — Minimal leaf litter compared to other shade trees. Leaves decompose quickly when they do fall.

Professional Appearance — The formal, geometric branching suits corporate aesthetics. It reads as “maintained” even with minimal pruning.

Landscape Uses

Avenue and driveway planting — Classic use, requires 6-8m spacing
Shade tree for outdoor living — Patios, pool areas, entertainment spaces
Specimen focal point — Single trees as garden centerpiece
Parking lot shade — Common in commercial developments
Privacy screening — When planted in staggered rows

Growing Requirements

Light

Full sun is essential. Trees grown in shade develop weak, elongated growth and lose the compact tiered form.

Water

Moderate needs. Water regularly during the first year of establishment, then the tree becomes remarkably drought-tolerant.² Overwatering can cause root problems.

Soil

Adaptable to most Philippine soils, including slightly alkaline conditions. Good drainage is the main requirement — does not tolerate waterlogging.

Space

Allow 6-8 meters canopy spread at maturity. This is not a tree for small gardens. Minimum setback from structures: 3 meters.

Climate

Thrives in Philippine lowland conditions. Not recommended for elevations above 1,000m where temperatures drop significantly.

Size & Pricing Guide

We supply African Talisay in various grades:

Grade	Height	Trunk Caliper	Typical Price
Starter	3-4 ft	1-2”	₱2,000 - ₱3,500
Landscape Grade	6-8 ft	2-3”	₱5,000 - ₱10,000
Semi-Mature	10-15 ft	4-6”	₱15,000 - ₱25,000
Specimen	18-25 ft	6-10”	₱35,000 - ₱50,000+

Pricing varies based on:

Form quality (how well-developed the tiered branching is)
Root ball condition (field-grown vs. container)
Current availability
Delivery distance

Delivery and installation quoted separately. Crane installation required for specimen-grade trees.

Planting & Establishment

Site Preparation

Dig hole 2-3x the root ball diameter
Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter
Ensure drainage — add gravel layer if needed

Planting

Set tree so root flare is at or slightly above grade
Backfill with mix of native soil and compost
Create water basin around the tree
Mulch with 3-4” organic material, keeping mulch away from trunk

First Year Care

Water deeply 2-3x per week during dry season
Stake if in windy location (remove stakes after one year)
Do not fertilize until established (6+ months)

Ongoing Maintenance

African Talisay is genuinely low-maintenance once established:

Pruning: Minimal required. Only remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. The tree naturally maintains its tiered form.
Fertilizing: Annual application of balanced slow-release fertilizer (14-14-14) in early wet season
Pest/Disease: Generally healthy. Occasional mealybug on young growth — treat with insecticidal soap if significant
Leaf drop: Normal during extended dry periods. Tree will recover with rain.

Common Questions

Is it really from Africa? No — the common name is misleading. Terminalia mantaly is native to Madagascar, an island nation off Africa’s east coast. True African Talisay would be Terminalia catappa, a different species common in coastal areas.

How fast does it grow? Moderate — expect 0.5-1 meter height gain per year under good conditions. Faster in first few years, slowing as tree matures.

Can I plant it near a pool? Yes — African Talisay is pool-safe. Minimal leaf drop, no messy fruit, and roots are not aggressive toward pool structures.

Will it damage my house foundation? Maintain 3-meter minimum setback from structures. Root system is not particularly aggressive, but any large tree planted too close to foundations can cause issues.

Why is mine not developing the tiered form? Usually insufficient sunlight. Trees in partial shade grow leggy and lose the compact branching pattern. Other causes: over-fertilizing (promotes soft, vertical growth) or genetic variation.

Sources

Interested in African Talisay for your landscape? Contact us to discuss sizes, availability, and delivery to your location.

Plants of the World Online (POWO), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Terminalia mantaly H.Perrier.” Accessed 2025. https://powo.science.kew.org/ ↩
National Parks Board Singapore. “Terminalia mantaly.” Flora & Fauna Web. Accessed 2025. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb ↩ ↩²