Buttonwood
About this species.
Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) is technically a mangrove associate — sometimes legally protected under MTPA, sometimes not, depending on the jurisdiction and the interpretation. Salt-tolerant, drought-tolerant, hurricane-tough, and one of the best coastal-Florida specimen trees for properties within salt-spray range.
Identification
- Small leathery 1–3 inch oval evergreen leaves with a slight silvery-green cast.
- Smooth gray bark on young branches, becoming dark furrowed at the base.
- Multi-trunked, often twisting and wind-sculpted — picturesque sculptural habit.
- Small button-like dry fruit clusters (the namesake feature).
- Dense rounded crown shaped by salt wind in exposed positions.
- 20–40 ft typical mature height.
Where you'll see them
Coastal Florida — barrier islands, bayfront properties, salt-spray neighborhoods. Native through South Florida and the Caribbean. Increasingly used as a sculptural specimen tree in non-coastal landscapes that want the silvery-green coastal aesthetic. Silver buttonwood (the cultivar 'Sericeus') is a more dramatic variety with strikingly silvery foliage.
Mangrove-associate protection (it depends)
Buttonwood is botanically a mangrove associate — it grows in the upper tidal fringe just inland of true mangroves. Whether it falls under Florida's MTPA protections depends on local-government interpretation. Sanibel and some other strict-rule jurisdictions treat buttonwood as protected; some other counties do not. Assume protection on coastal-adjacent properties until you've verified the local rule.
- Sanibel: typically protected.
- Some Lee County jurisdictions: protected.
- Most non-Lee SW Florida: not specifically protected, but may fall under broader tree ordinances.
- When in doubt: consult before removing.
Florida-specific care
- Hurricane-tough — top-tier wind score.
- Salt-tolerant — handles direct salt-spray better than nearly any other landscape tree.
- Drought-tolerant once established.
- Pruning rarely needed beyond shape maintenance.
- Slow-growing — patience required for specimen size.
What to know.
- High wind-resistance score — one of the better choices for Florida hurricane country.
Frequently asked.
Is buttonwood a mangrove?
Botanically it's a mangrove associate, not a true mangrove. It grows in the upper tidal zone just inland of red, black, and white mangroves. The legal classification depends on local jurisdiction — some treat buttonwood as MTPA-protected, others don't.
Can I plant a buttonwood?
Yes, especially in coastal or coastal-adjacent positions. Buttonwood is one of the best salt-tolerant Florida natives for residential landscapes within salt-spray range. Silver buttonwood ('Sericeus') is a particularly striking cultivar for accent plantings.
Do I need a permit to trim my buttonwood?
Depends on jurisdiction. On Sanibel and some other strict-rule areas, yes — buttonwood is treated as protected. In most SW Florida residential settings, buttonwood pruning falls under general tree-care rules without MTPA constraints. Confirm before significant work.
Services for buttonwoods.
The work we do on buttonwoods most often. Each card links straight to the service detail.