Genus: Ficus

My yard is not very large and Ficus are the worst trees to put into the ground because they are so large and have a massive root system. This Ficus though is growing very well in the pot with it root growing in the ground...the pot looks like soon it will burst. Unfortunately, this tree may have to cut down or cut back drastically.

I've had to cut down a Ficus craterastoma and Ficus thonningii recently that did the same thing. They are regrowing though from the roots.

Marguerite:

Ficus dammaropsis former botanical name was Dammaropsis kingiana.
You may find information under the old name...as this tree has not been classified in Ficus very long.

Sorry Delonix, but I have not seen these before. If they would be grown here I would sure have noticed them. I have googled in Australia and have not find much info on them. I did have a dinner plate plant in my garden in Darwin, but was not a ficus. I had two, fast growing little trees with wide round dark green leaves, horizontally attached to the trunk, looking like a dinner plate. Must check on its Botanical name. I did write to the Nursery regarding it, see if I can find that back.

Marguerite,

Do these trees grow in your area of Australia? It is native to New Guinea...which isn't too far from Northeastern Australia. I would love to see pictures if you have any growing in your area.

It just appears that way. These trees have very large strong trunks...also, the park workers thin the trees' canopy yearly. It is not visible in this picture though.

Lovely shot.

http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Plant/mbfig for additional information. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree is native to Australia, namely Queensland. I know this tree and it sure is HUGE!

They would be lovely and shady.

Looks like one might be falling over...

Lovely old tree.

Hope I remember it all, very interesting.

Beautiful!

I have a question: why did you not take the tree outof its pot? I wonder if it is struggling with its rootsystem.

I love the shape of that ficus. Auriculata, ear shape?

I love reading all your info, very educational.

I've learnt so much through your photos.
As you know, I like the unusual name trees :
Sausage Tree, Fish Tail Palm, Signature or Autograph Tree -
fascinating. Thank you.

I make it as interesting as possible. I know when I see a posted picture I want to know where it's located. The cultural requirements and some history of the plant. It makes it easier to decide if I would like to plant a specific tree or flower.

Ficus trees are great for shade and they grow moderately fast...

Thank you for giving such a detailed explanation of each tree you photographed. Very interesting.

That's weird but wonderful.

Thank you.

What lovely names.
Dinner plate fig. I like that.

This photo conveys so much more with your excellent description.

Fascinating tree trunks.

Really interesting photo.

Actually, this is just one trunk...although it has the appearance of many trunks. When most Ficus trees get old they have this multi-trunked--cracked appearance...usually it referred to as being buttressed.

These trunks would sure add interest to a garden setting.

There's a huge difference between this tree and a poplar and that is the hundreds of thousands of pea-sized figs.

Thanks, Delonix1.
I guess you're saying that the China Doll name comes from the flower shape?

No, Ficus do not shed their bark like Eucalyptus. Many species of Ficus have very light colored bark which contrast very well against the dark green, two-tone or heavily veined leaves. Also, many Ficus when very old have a cracking of the bark...I'm not sure why this is.

Terratoonie, China Doll Tree is an extremely fast growing tree which has white or yellow fragrant bell flowers. It is native to tropical Southeast Asia where it can grow to 80 feet tall (I have seen them that tall in Hawaii). I have seen 30+ foot trees here in San Diego, however, in the San Francisco Bay Area...I have these trees almost 50 feet tall. I think it is because the soil is better and they receive a lot more rain.

I can only guess that the name "Serpent" has to to with the shape of the seed pods which are long and wavy, resembling a serpent. I will post a picture of a tree with the seed pods soon.

This picture doesn't show the enormity of this tree. I think it is more than 80 feet tall and has a spread of over (going out on a limb. lol) 130 feet.

I can see how it has to 'compete' for space with other bushes etc, around.
Lovely blue sky!

I looked up China Doll tree.
It says evergreen:
also known as Serpent Tree or Asian Bell Tree.

I can understand the 'Bell' name from the flower shape.
Do you know why its called China Doll or Serpent?
Are those names also because of the flower shape?
Thanks.

Yes, I can see its quite a challenge to squash everything into the picture!

The bark looks quite pale.
Does the tree shed its bark?
I can see some bits peeling off.

The roots are interesting.
Poaannua has explained to me about them.

Thanks for making the pictures even more interesting with the extra comments you add.

This tree is trimmed drastically every year. It can grow to at least 50 feet if left untrimmed.

Thanks. Can't wait to see the sausages and flowers.

Terratoonie:

There are several sausage trees in San Diego, CA, although still not common. It does bloom at night or on cloudy days. The flowers are red/black. They do bear long sausage-like fruit. I'll post more pictures I have of this tree.

These trees have much more surface roots than olive trees and grow larger.
There are many old olive trees here in California. I think olives are commercially grown in the central valley (San Joaquin Valley) of California.

Magnificent trees! Love its surface roots somewhat like some of the Olive trees I saw in Israel.

I've just looked up Sausage Tree!
The fruits really do look like sausages.
Apparently its flowers bloom at night and are pollinated by bats and insects.
Please correct me if I have any of this wrong.
It's fascinating. :o)

PS. Do you please have more pictures of the Sausage Tree?
Maybe with the sausage fruits on it?
Thanks.

Thanks for the extra information.
Makes the photo more interesting.

Thanks. I'll take a look now.

I have uploaded a few more Ficus pictures today. I will add more in the near future.

Thanks for the comments,
Andy

Poaanua, this tree is very fast growing and has a massive root-system.
It could probably be grown as a bonsai though. I have seen many species of Ficus grown as bonsais. In the ground though, most Ficus grow to become extremely large trees. (12 - 35+ meters tall).

Ficus retusa (commonly called F. microcarpa or nitida here in California) is so widely used as a street tree from San Diego to The San Francisco Bay Area. Overall, they are clean, compact trees, except when they produce the thousands of figs which get smashed on pavement or stuck on ones shoes (personal experience).

I will post more pictures of interesting Ficus trees in the future. Ficus is one of my favorite trees.

A bit different to my Bonsai Ficus retusa. I wish I could grow one of these. You have some very interesting photos.

Delonix1. ~
Looking forward to more pictures.
Please put a note here when you've uploaded any, so that we don't miss them. Thanks.

The trunk is not hallow. The trunk and branches are extremely massive.
I will post more pictures of this amazing tree.

Like I said this is one of the smaller trees in California. In San Dimas, CA
(Northest of Los Angeles) there's a tree that is 85 feet tall and covers a quarter of an acre. This is know as the largest F. macrophylla in the continental United States.

There's also a very famous tree in Santa Barbara, CA called "The Giant Fig"
which is Ficus macrophylla, it is over 60 feet tall and has a spread of over 176 feet. It was planted in 1876.

Here an article: http://edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=853

Balboa Park Fig: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM33ZW

Does the trunk have hollow parts?
How old is the tree?

wow its huge

very nice

This is a beautiful strangler fig. I love the aerial roots! We have many, many
species of ficus that grow here in San Diego, CA.

Your description is quite frightening. Like something from science fiction.

I think so too Jacque, a bit Chrissie like I think.

Those Orange Berrys look fab against that Green

I see what you mean by the philo creepers...they're everywhere! What wonderful trees...this one looks venerable.

This is amazing...! Never would I have thought to see fruit merging from the trunk of a tree. This is soooo awesome to see...lol. Thanks so much for posting these pics for us ! I can't wait to see what's next...~

Thanks Clarice.

LOL

Your right popeymike the picture are brill ( with a bit of jealousy as well) not just the flowers but the sunshine as well

Yes, you can eat the fruit. I haven't tried them, but it is Aboriginal bush tucker. Thanks for your appreciation Popeymike.

I'm enjoying your pictures immensely Marguerite (with a tinge of jelousy!) Are these figs edible?

who's your friend?