Banyan Tree: The Complete Guide (And One Thing You Never Expected... It Moves) (2023)

Did you know that Banyan is one of over 700 species of fig trees?

Correct! But this strange tree has more cool facts than just reddish (but tasteless) fruit. They are actually pollinated by tiny wasps that nest inside the figs!

But something you probably never suspected…andeven more amazingis it the treemovements.In fact, it "crosses over" to another area in a wonderfully strange way.

Read on to find out more!

This comprehensive ficus guide provides all kinds of wonderful and amazing facts about this amazing tree that actually moves sideways along ... creating an intricate web of plants that looks like an entire forest!

What is so special about the Banyan Tree?

The fig tree is huge. But instead of growing like other seed trees, it does something strange. It behaves like a vine and reproduces with the help of host plants to form tangled trunks and wide branches.

Then thisfiguratively it "walks", taking root where and when it can... and once caught, it takes root sideways as far as it can go!

Its canopy is thick with leaves and provides plenty of shade, creating a surreal tunnel the older you get.

In the capital of West Bengal, visitors see what originally looks like a forest. The branches that come together to build a wide canopy over the botanical garden are the so-calledthe length of a long city block.

It turns out that "forest" is not a collection of trees at all.This is one tree, known as the Great Banyan Tree, a tree with over 3,000 roots that fuse together in a dense configuration.

Related reading: Wonderful and inspiringtree quotes

How the banyan tree grows and spreads

There are many species of the fig tree, and most of them are constrictors, including the fig tree. (Think honeysuckle and other climbing plants that use another as a prop.)

The process begins when a seed left by a foraging animal or bird survives on a branch of a neighboring tree, also known as a host tree.

The seeds develop roots that eventually reach the ground and surround the trunk of the host tree. The roots intertwine and intertwine with the host's trunk, creating a barrier that compresses the trunk and forces it to compete for food.

This invasion of territory sometimes kills the host tree. And that's why the new Banyan tree is more of a collection of massive roots than a traditional tree trunk.

Characteristics for Banyan Tree

Due to their strange nature, ficus trees have specific characteristics.

Here are some features of the fig tree that will help with identification.

Ficus leaf

Banyan leaves are large, about 4-8 inches long and 3-6 inches in diameter. They are thick and leathery and their shade is green to olive.

The shape of the leaf is oval, pointed, and the edges are smooth. The petiole (the part of the stem that connects the leaf to the stem) is short and covered with fine hairs.

Ficus roots

Older banyan trees haveaerial roots(above ground) that mature into thick trunks that merge into the main trunk over time.

Old trees spread laterally by using overhanging roots to grow in large areas that over time can resemble a tree slope, with all trunks attached directly or indirectly to the original trunk.

Banyan Tree duft

The banyan exudes a subtle fragrance of a sweet, floral scent, as do many vines.

Banyan Tree Fruit (Banyan Tree Figs)

The tree produces figs. Unlike many figs, however, the reddish fig fruit is barely edible.

How tall will the banana tree grow?

Banyan grows up to 100 feet tall and grows sideways.

Over time, a tree can resemble a small forest.

Flowering Banyan trees

Although this tree bears fruit, its flowers are hidden when the flowers are enclosed in a fleshy fig-like fruit.

In fact, the leaves grow small flowers and are a haven for many varieties of insects.

Native growing areas of the Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree does not grow well in cold climates. In the United States, it only blooms south of Miami, Florida. Its main growing regions remain in India, its birthplace.

In trying to explain the name Banyan, people refer the name to any of the hundreds of fig trees that are pollinated by a single species of small wasps that reproduce in the fruit of their partner trees.

All banyans belong to a variety known as strangler figs, meaning that the tree grows from seeds that land on a neighboring tree and take root to suffocate their hosts, then grow into columns to support the branches, which take on the appearance of new trunks.

This allows him to "move".

Cultivation of Banyan

Fig trees can be planted from branches or seeds. The cuttings are cut from the tips and rooted or harvested half an inch below and above the leaf.

As a houseplant, ficus grows well in well-drained and slightly moist soil.The soil must be saturated and allowed to dry out between waterings.

Gardeners should ensure that the tree does not languish in water, as its leaves may turn yellow and fall off the branch with high saturation.

Growing a banyan tree in your garden

Growing a ficus in any garden is a painstaking task. WhileOak treethe tree takes care of itself, the ficus is picky.

This is primarily due to the large space needed to grow it, but also the labor required to grow it.

In the early stages of growth, the right location and the right "food" matter. So if you are one of those brave souls who want to grow this tree,make sure you have plenty of room.

Many people suggest that growing figs in the United States is not the best idea. As an invasive species (one that does not grow naturally here), the unintended impact is unknown.

Kudzu plants, for example, were brought from Asia to the United States as a means of controlling runoff in some places. But the species quickly took over, and because it kills plants below, it could threaten the existence of native species. Bringing an unknown species to an area is as dangerous as depleting the rainforest, as an invasive species can be a deadly addition to an ecosystem's delicate balance.

Related reading:13 amazing and interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest

Ficus folklore and strange facts

Banyans are the largest trees in the world in terms of the area they cover. The largest living one grows in Andhra Pradesh, India. Its mass covers five hectares and can accommodate tens of thousands of people.²

• Banyans grow large quantities of figs, which feed many species of birds and primates. Sticky figs travel with the animal and help spread the seeds. This action is called ecological support.
• The first Europeans to see the fig tree were the Greeks on their way to invade India 2,400 years ago.
• When the English poet John Milton wrote "Paradise Lost", he noted that the fig tree served Adam and Eve when they wore their first clothes.
• Hindu scriptures claim that Krishna stood under the Banyan tree when he preached from the Bhagavad Gita.
• Hindu texts from before the year 2000 speak of a cosmic fig tree whose roots reach to the heavens and whose trunk and branches hang down to the earth, bestowing blessings on mankind.
• The colonial British hanged many rebels from fig trees while India was fighting for independence. Banyan became India's national tree after independence.

Banyan Tree in religious worship

Trees have great importance in Hinduism, they are considered sacred and associated with gods and goddesses.

• Banjan is revered in Hinduism for its ability to live for centuries and is considered the refuge of God.
• Its large leaves are often used in worship and rituals. The tree is considered a symbol of immortality and Brahma for the creator.
• The goddess Shiva represents the main trunk and is worshiped under the abundant canopy of the tree.

Healing properties of banyan trees

People used bananas assource of medicine for millennia.

The following information does not constitute medical advice and should not be considered as such. Always consult a qualified physician before using home remedies or natural substances.

The people of Nepal use banyan root, leaves, and bark to treat many conditions, including:

• Treats Diarrhea: Soak small sprouting leaves in water and you get an astringent, good for healinggastrointestinal irritation.
• Prevents cavities and gum disease: Chewing roots prevent gum disease,caries, ibleeding gums. The roots are like natural toothpaste and also help to removebad breath. The root has a cleansing power that helps prevent and treat most oral health problems.
• Boosts Immunity: Banyan Tree Barkgood immune system.
• Prevents inflammation: Treessafthas anti-inflammatory and healing propertiesarthritis.
• Prevents depression: Fig fruit extracts, e.gincrease serotonin levels in the brainand relieve depression.
• Lowers Cholesterol: There are two types of cholesterol in our body - "good" and "bad". Banyan tree bark is great for lowering bad cholesterol while keeping good cholesterol high.
• Diabetes: An infusion of the roots helps treat high blood pressuresugarhorizontal.

Culinary Uses of the Banyan Tree

The reddish fig fruit is barely edible. People resort to eating it only when hunger strikes. Although the leaves are edible, they are often used as plates and in food packaging.

The leaves are also used to flavor food cooked over a fire⁹)

Conservation of Banyan trees through community efforts

In India, a conservation project was established to help spread awareness and education in local communities to educate citizens about the great importance of the fig tree.

Fifty fig trees were protected by erecting fences around the hanging roots. In 2022, 30 more trees are planned for protection.

Drooping roots need support to help extend branching. The project aims to save the roots from being chopped down by humans and eaten by goats. The roots need protection for two years during the tree's growth. Protecting them will help them reach the ground.

Figentræproduktion

Wood from root branches is useful and strong. It is used for tent poles, wall decorations, shafts, tabletops and other load-bearing wood products

These facts increase the numberhow many trees are felled each year, because the ficus tree is used for a number of different products.

How Much Carbon Does the Banyan Tree Sequester Consume?

The amount of carbon emissions that each tree can absorb depends on the size and age of the tree. Because Banyan trees are so large and so widespread, it is difficult to estimate how much emissions they can remove from the atmosphere. Although not listed as one of the8 endangered tree species that help fight climate change, you can definitely replace it understrange treescategory and the fact that Banyan can live so long by storing CO₂in its roots and strain make it a valuable part of the global ecosystem.

Understanding more about the Banyan tree is a great way to spread the love for trees and offset the carbon emissions an energy tree can have on the health of the planet.

Now calculate the carbon sequestration of the Banyan tree

Tree protection is a priority for many of themCO2 compensating companiesto which they are dedicatedplanting trees that offset carbon emissionsprojects. You can engage with these suppliers and those who support and love trees, including the Banyan Tree, by measuring "my ecological footprint'Not.