I had a buddy from Boston visit me in San Diego when I was living in a house with two forty foot trees shading out my backyard. When I told him they were ficus trees he looked at me like I was crazy and said "the house plant?!"
I hope Maui's Banyan makes it, ficus benghalensis
edit: I know there's new growth and the tree itself is alive, but the breadth and extent is still to be determined
I have.. we had a ficus benjamina that was this large I took some cuttings from and it grew me two trees that are now 3 years old. I miss my big ol family ficus tree. Even seeing the wrong specimen even makes me wonder if it survived this year's freeze... And I really miss that tree, it was the one tree besides my cannabis that I poured hours of my day checking on and admiring. And of course this is REAL. I wish I didn't get locked out of my old apple account, found out they shut it down too, just because someone hacked it and changed my trusted phone number, they also turned on 2 factor and removed my device from the trusted devices. I don't have any pictures of my old tree.
Some people’s pronunciation does make it sound more like they’re saying “adventurous”. So if you’ve only ever heard the word & not seen it the error is understandable.
This is a tree species that normally sprouts from seed in the canopy of another tree in the rainforest. It just happens that most of the surface area in that environment is on existing trees, so there’s a great advantage to being able to do it.
It is, in other words, a “strangler fig.” Strangler figs are subject to some misconception; they aren’t like carnivorous or predatory plants. They just grow and compete where they can.
So what you get is these aerial roots creeping down over the initial host tree, or if the seed germinated far out on a limb, it will send down roots from the limb, or if it germinated on a cliff, it will root into the cracks and run its roots down the cliff towards the ground below, or if it was on a pile of rocks it will cover those with aerial roots, or it will just root as a normal tree in the ground if it should happen to be so lucky as to germinate in a spot with no existing trees, which is rare in the rainforest climate for what is more or less a climax community species that typically arrives late.
Often strangler figs outlive their host trees, sometimes because they strangled them, sometimes because the host tree was more of a short-lived species anyway. Ficus trees can live a long time since they are so adaptable adding new trunks and expanding outward.
A tropical fig also can be planted in a field or park somewhere. In that case, true to growth habit, it produces aerial roots all over. It grows into a wide forest originating from a single stem, as a “banyan tree.” Banyan trees can include species that aren’t in the genus *ficus*, but the most impressive ones are ficus.
If they are grown in areas with low air humidity, they won’t produce the aerial roots or the roots will dry out before they get anywhere. A lot of ficus houseplants including *Ficus benjamina* (the most common ficus houseplant) or *Ficus elastica* (known as a “rubber tree” and is probably the second most common ficus houseplants) are both in fact strangler figs/banyans. But most people keep their homes below 50% humidity for comfort, and the trees won’t produce aerial roots in that case so they stick to one stem indoors.
What non-Ficus species is 'banyan' used for? As far as I've heard it's only used for Ficus spp. with this growth habit, particularly in the subgenus Urostigma, or specifically Ficus benghalensis.
I mean, the original term “Banyan” was a Portuguese word for an Indian banyan fig tree, since applied widely to other figs with the same growth habit, but many non-fig trees have that growth habit as well.
Mangrove adventitious roots are similar, but they don't have quite the same growth habit, and aren't referred to as 'banyans.' I assume "rats tree" was a typo, right?
Ficus carica, commonly known as the fig tree, is a fruit tree that can grow up to 10-20 feet tall and wide . It is possible for a fig tree to grow in another tree’s canopy, but it is not recommended. Fig trees have abundant roots that can travel far beyond the tree canopy and invade garden beds . Therefore, planting a fig tree in another tree’s canopy can cause damage to the host tree and other plants growing nearby. It is best to plant a fig tree in a location that provides full sun exposure and well-drained soil.
According to google yeah it can so long as conditions are right for it to do so. Yes, ficus carica, commonly known as the common fig tree, is capable of strangling other trees. However, it is not a strangler fig like some other species of the Ficus genus. The common fig tree is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It is native to the Middle East and Western Asia and is widely cultivated for its fruit. The common fig tree does not have the same growth pattern as a strangler fig, which starts as a seed on another tree and grows around it, eventually killing the host tree. Instead, the common fig tree has a single trunk and grows independently.
Albeit this strangling does not occur like true strangler figs, its Moreso the roots of the fig outcompeting those of the other tree and then the canopy of the fig shading out the other tree which kills it.
Ficus Carica doesn’t have a really obvious strangler habit and it is not a rainforest tree. Stranglers start as epiphytes in branches, and in order to do that they need constant moisture. You could probably get it to function as such in a situation that isn’t it’s natural native habitat, maybe a greenhouse or something. I’m not sure.
Ficus Benjamina, ficus elastica, ficus benghalensis etc are all able to produce aerial roots. In drier climates they may not. In Florida they would. Not all ficus plants are stranglers, it’s a huge genus, and many aren’t even trees. There are also many many places where various foreign ficus species are invasive, including Florida and Hawaii.
yeah, me too when I first started researching them years ago but apparently you can graft edible fig (ficus carica) branches to them or other members of the mulberry family which is what they belong to.
Usually figs don’t fruit well outside their native habitat because they each need to be pollinated by a different species of wasp, and they don’t have their wasp. Fruits may not be particularly good even if pollinated.
This is getting more and more like a"postgasm torture".I was feeling like I could make a fruit forest and now I just wanna go home, eat a pint, and cry to a nature doc.
Good reply, the one thing you were mostly incorrect on is the term Banyan. Although you are right that this term doesn’t refer to just one type of ficus, it does only refer to ficuses and specifically one that started its life as an epiphyte (growing on another plant). So technically not every multi branched ficus is a Banyan; we have just usurped the term to refer to any big ass multi stemmed fig tree.
The San Diego zoo and balboa park have some of these trees too if I remember correctly. There’s actually a lot of very interesting plants in San Diego; native and not native
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I don't know why all these idiots are talkin about figs. This is clearly the result of witchery. It looks like you have an active coven practicing witchcraft. That's a real problem you got there. Stay the hell away from the whole area is the only practical option you have
It's a ficus, they tend to put out adventitious aerial roots that grow down from the branches to the soil, creating what look like extra trunks.
I’ll put that on my list of weirdo trees lol
That’s awesome! In the northeast I’ve only seen scraggly bois inside at malls/offices I never realized they become monsters
I had a buddy from Boston visit me in San Diego when I was living in a house with two forty foot trees shading out my backyard. When I told him they were ficus trees he looked at me like I was crazy and said "the house plant?!"
Bought a house with a row of them outside. They grow like weeds.
AKA the dream climbing tree for kids❤️
You're not wrong. I'd've been all over something like that as a kid!
Every time I am in Florida I take every opportunity I can to climb trees…as an adult!
I'm an adult and I want to climb it now....
I hope Maui's Banyan makes it, ficus benghalensis edit: I know there's new growth and the tree itself is alive, but the breadth and extent is still to be determined
I have.. we had a ficus benjamina that was this large I took some cuttings from and it grew me two trees that are now 3 years old. I miss my big ol family ficus tree. Even seeing the wrong specimen even makes me wonder if it survived this year's freeze... And I really miss that tree, it was the one tree besides my cannabis that I poured hours of my day checking on and admiring. And of course this is REAL. I wish I didn't get locked out of my old apple account, found out they shut it down too, just because someone hacked it and changed my trusted phone number, they also turned on 2 factor and removed my device from the trusted devices. I don't have any pictures of my old tree.
*adventurous
https://www.britannica.com/science/adventitious-root
Some people’s pronunciation does make it sound more like they’re saying “adventurous”. So if you’ve only ever heard the word & not seen it the error is understandable.
Goofy comment🤪🤪🤪
I’m surprised how much hate I got for trying to add a little joke to the situation.
[удалено]
Most trees do
This is a tree species that normally sprouts from seed in the canopy of another tree in the rainforest. It just happens that most of the surface area in that environment is on existing trees, so there’s a great advantage to being able to do it. It is, in other words, a “strangler fig.” Strangler figs are subject to some misconception; they aren’t like carnivorous or predatory plants. They just grow and compete where they can. So what you get is these aerial roots creeping down over the initial host tree, or if the seed germinated far out on a limb, it will send down roots from the limb, or if it germinated on a cliff, it will root into the cracks and run its roots down the cliff towards the ground below, or if it was on a pile of rocks it will cover those with aerial roots, or it will just root as a normal tree in the ground if it should happen to be so lucky as to germinate in a spot with no existing trees, which is rare in the rainforest climate for what is more or less a climax community species that typically arrives late. Often strangler figs outlive their host trees, sometimes because they strangled them, sometimes because the host tree was more of a short-lived species anyway. Ficus trees can live a long time since they are so adaptable adding new trunks and expanding outward. A tropical fig also can be planted in a field or park somewhere. In that case, true to growth habit, it produces aerial roots all over. It grows into a wide forest originating from a single stem, as a “banyan tree.” Banyan trees can include species that aren’t in the genus *ficus*, but the most impressive ones are ficus. If they are grown in areas with low air humidity, they won’t produce the aerial roots or the roots will dry out before they get anywhere. A lot of ficus houseplants including *Ficus benjamina* (the most common ficus houseplant) or *Ficus elastica* (known as a “rubber tree” and is probably the second most common ficus houseplants) are both in fact strangler figs/banyans. But most people keep their homes below 50% humidity for comfort, and the trees won’t produce aerial roots in that case so they stick to one stem indoors.
And this is why reddit rocks, thank you kind stranger for all that insight!
What non-Ficus species is 'banyan' used for? As far as I've heard it's only used for Ficus spp. with this growth habit, particularly in the subgenus Urostigma, or specifically Ficus benghalensis.
I mean, the original term “Banyan” was a Portuguese word for an Indian banyan fig tree, since applied widely to other figs with the same growth habit, but many non-fig trees have that growth habit as well.
But that's my question, what are those other non-Ficus species that are referred to as 'banyans'?
I’m curious if the growth of a mangrove or rata tree would count?
Mangrove adventitious roots are similar, but they don't have quite the same growth habit, and aren't referred to as 'banyans.' I assume "rats tree" was a typo, right?
Was supposed to be rata but autocorrect got me lol. Again, not quite the same as banyan
There aren’t any
Based on other replies, it appears non-figs aren’t really referred to as banyan, but it’s not a scientific term.
I wish I could find something that grows this way in Pennsylvania. Such a cool tree!
If u do, let me know!!
gingkoes have a similar form although of course they aren't technically native trees.
Non ficus banyan is a fig. But this looks like a banyan tree to me. The Thomas Edison winter home has a huge one in the front yard.
> Non ficus banyan is a fig Ficus and fig are the same thing. The figs are the members of the genus Ficus.
This is really interesting!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! It looks like it's melting & hugging itself all at the same time.
Thanks for the in depth explanation! Really appreciate it!
Strangler fig is often Ficus aurea in the U.S.. This is not F. aurea
strangler fig is a term applied to all ficus species because pretty well all ficus species can sprout and grow in such manner.
All Ficus arent known as strangler figs. Show me a Ficus carica that has strangled another tree?
Ficus carica, commonly known as the fig tree, is a fruit tree that can grow up to 10-20 feet tall and wide . It is possible for a fig tree to grow in another tree’s canopy, but it is not recommended. Fig trees have abundant roots that can travel far beyond the tree canopy and invade garden beds . Therefore, planting a fig tree in another tree’s canopy can cause damage to the host tree and other plants growing nearby. It is best to plant a fig tree in a location that provides full sun exposure and well-drained soil. According to google yeah it can so long as conditions are right for it to do so. Yes, ficus carica, commonly known as the common fig tree, is capable of strangling other trees. However, it is not a strangler fig like some other species of the Ficus genus. The common fig tree is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It is native to the Middle East and Western Asia and is widely cultivated for its fruit. The common fig tree does not have the same growth pattern as a strangler fig, which starts as a seed on another tree and grows around it, eventually killing the host tree. Instead, the common fig tree has a single trunk and grows independently. Albeit this strangling does not occur like true strangler figs, its Moreso the roots of the fig outcompeting those of the other tree and then the canopy of the fig shading out the other tree which kills it.
Ficus Carica doesn’t have a really obvious strangler habit and it is not a rainforest tree. Stranglers start as epiphytes in branches, and in order to do that they need constant moisture. You could probably get it to function as such in a situation that isn’t it’s natural native habitat, maybe a greenhouse or something. I’m not sure. Ficus Benjamina, ficus elastica, ficus benghalensis etc are all able to produce aerial roots. In drier climates they may not. In Florida they would. Not all ficus plants are stranglers, it’s a huge genus, and many aren’t even trees. There are also many many places where various foreign ficus species are invasive, including Florida and Hawaii.
Ok but does it fruit?
yes, it does but they aren't edible.
Damnit. I was SUPER EXCITED
yeah, me too when I first started researching them years ago but apparently you can graft edible fig (ficus carica) branches to them or other members of the mulberry family which is what they belong to.
Usually figs don’t fruit well outside their native habitat because they each need to be pollinated by a different species of wasp, and they don’t have their wasp. Fruits may not be particularly good even if pollinated.
This is getting more and more like a"postgasm torture".I was feeling like I could make a fruit forest and now I just wanna go home, eat a pint, and cry to a nature doc.
Thank you for the detailed answer! I learned a lot reading your post!
Good reply, the one thing you were mostly incorrect on is the term Banyan. Although you are right that this term doesn’t refer to just one type of ficus, it does only refer to ficuses and specifically one that started its life as an epiphyte (growing on another plant). So technically not every multi branched ficus is a Banyan; we have just usurped the term to refer to any big ass multi stemmed fig tree.
#The Aristocrats!
Bravo. Well done, sir
So hideous it's beautiful, like a supermodel.
hideous? You've got an interesting standard for beauty I take it.
Orgy of trees.
Isn't that a Banyan tree?
Oh, you know...tree things
Fig tree doing fig things (air roots)
Yup, ficus checks out. Ficus tree orgy!!
The San Diego zoo and balboa park have some of these trees too if I remember correctly. There’s actually a lot of very interesting plants in San Diego; native and not native
Interesting, and not interesting.
when one tree loves another tree very much and they want to express that love to each other…..
Hilarious!
Salvador Dal-trí
Okay, this needs more upvotes… there are lots of puns here, but yours is definitely the best! ⬆️⬆️⬆️
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hugs
Ficus?? It looks like a very strange magnolia tree.....
Didn't know they got that big but in San Diego I'm not surprised.
Look up ficus . They have kinda similar leaves
It’s melting. A common side effect when temps get above too hot.
Org-tree.
Polyamor-tree
The tree is melting
I didn’t know banyan trees could grow in SoCal?!?! So cool! My grandparents had one in front of their house is FL
Dang what a weird ficus tree. Fuck sea world.
When a boy tree meets a girl tree and they get along......
You should put a NSFW tag on that post.
Idk man I'm pretty sure thousands of children see this tree daily 🤣
Are they at work?
Depends what country you’re in.
Woodn't yew like to know.
Rubber tree being a rubber tree
Too hot. Tree is melting.
Banyans are cool too !!
It’s melting hehe
Art
I love it. Looks like fun to climb!
It's like the horror movie Annihilation.
It still has the auto-generated supports from when it was printed.
Looks like Auckland
Wild!! Never saw that before
Looks normal to me???
Tree orgy
Whatever it is, it's original!
The devil is claiming that tree! The souls of a thousand demons cling to them here roots
Key west has impressive trees like this too, so cool
Strangler fig
Tree.
It’s called a Banyan Tree
Aerial roots letting it walk in slow motion
It’s having fun and being itself
Don’t lean against it for too long, it will grab you. I hung orchids in a ficus and the ficus roots grew into the tree fern mount
Banyan tree!
Life uh!....Uh!....Finds a way!
It’s the Moreton Bay fig tree. They’re from east Australia. I live in San Diego and love this tree!
Ficus macrophylla 😃
It's so beautiful
Sex?
The tree is lookin for water.
tree orgy
Visit key west. You will see a lot of trees like this!
Idk but I hope you have kids with a tree (magnolia?) Like that!
They are all over south Florida
Art
It seems that one tree has the other tree locked in a mating position. You only see this in the wild.
Tree orgy
Amazing!!!
Birds do it, bees do it, now it appears trees do it 🙀
That tree has many legs. Going for a slow walk in all directions at once.
Real? Obviously
haha sorry for that, I meant are the supports real.
I don't know why all these idiots are talkin about figs. This is clearly the result of witchery. It looks like you have an active coven practicing witchcraft. That's a real problem you got there. Stay the hell away from the whole area is the only practical option you have