When I first moved to South Florida I fell in love with the trees here. The different varieties of palm trees are hard to keep up with. The Royal Poinciana is another favorite. But the Banyan tree captivates me.
Banyan trees can be found throughout South Florida. They are quite impressive. If you take a drive on Old Cutler Road starting in Palmetto Bay and heading north to Coral Gables, you'll see many of them. Their canopies can extend clear across the street. But it's their trunks that mesmerize. There's something primitive about them. They always make me look and wonder. I'm not quite sure what I wonder about when I look, but time seems to stand still when I'm around the Banyan.
I researched the Banyan shortly after arriving here and was surprised with what I found. The Banyan tree is a fig that usually starts it's life on another tree. Birds will drop the seed in a crevice of the trunk of another tree and the seed will germinate. It then sends roots down to the ground. Eventually, the Banyan ends up engulfing the tree that gave it life. For this reason the Banyan is also known as a Strangler Fig.
In Robinson Crusoe, the main character made his home in a Banyan tree. The first Banyan tree planted in South Florida was in Ft. Myers. It was a gift to Thomas Edison from Harvey Firestone. Mr. Firestone was introduced to the Banyan in 1925 on a trip to India, one of the native countries of the Banyan tree. The tree he gave Mr. Edison was originally 4 feet tall and now covers 400 feet. Incredible.
Even knowing that a Banyan tree strangles it's host tree I can't help but admire it's beauty. Despicable natural instinct or tenacity? Maybe that's what I think about when they capture my attention. How they share certain qualities with people.
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Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
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Maggie,
I love those tress as well. They are so cool looking! BTW I like the new profile pic and I love your outside blog!!!
I have seen the Edison Banyan Tree. It's acres across. We have a Banyon in olde Bonita. My daughter shinny'd out a limb once and there was a squirrel out there that got totally ticked at her. Let's just say I caught her.
Jason - new readership is always appreciated =) You're right on about the trees. I couldn't have said it better myself. LOL
Chris - Supermom...always on the job. I can just picture it. Next summer when I make my annual trek to Ft. Myers Beach I will have to go snap pictures of the Edison tree.
Hey Maggie - cool pictures on these tress. Ever time I see one of those trees, they make me think 'snaky'. They've always looked kinda creepy to me, but now that I've read your post, I'll try to think of them in a different light. I can see why they're also called Strangler Fig - they do look like they could strangle whatever's around it!
Ann
Used to live in Florida - LOVE them! Always unique!
This one is in Ricketts Glen, PA I found while camping last weekend.... still looks heathly!
Ann - I guess it all goes back to that fear of bugs and spiders. =) Actually, you hit it right on the head...they are a little creepy. I've only seen them in the daylight. =)
Kim - you moved away from paradise? Gasp! LOL, just kidding. Home is truly wherever the heart is. Thanks for sharing the picture. The weather must be gorgeous up there now!
Maggie - love the pic but still need to visit your blog. The banyan trees fascinate me too. I remember seeing them in South America. Saw a documentary on them once that was amazing. There is one, somewhere, that covers 1/2 acre. Amazing!
Jeff
Love those trees.. they are mesmerizing. I could get lost in one for hours. Taking pictures from every which angle Here's one i found in Beijing China Last October.. just thought I'd share
Maggie,
As a young boy growing up in Kendall (now Pinecrest) I cherish fond memories of peddling my bicycle through the paths adjacent to Old Cutler. I would wind my way to Matheson Hammock and cast out my fishing line. Didn't matter if I caught any fish, I just enjoyed being outside and enjoying God's creation.
Michael Lozar
Bellingham Loan Originator
Maggie, I couldn't agree with you more!! The first time I saw them was in Maui many years ago and I just fell in love with the Banyan tree. I think I took an entire roll of film on them at the time. Since I have only been to Florida to catch a cruise liner, I didn't realize that you had this great specie of tree there.
I had no idea of the history but I still marvel in their beauty!
Yep! Paul Banyan made his early fame cuttin' them trees, then he grew tired of all the trunks, and moved to Minnesota, changed his name ta Paul Bunyon, and adopted a large homeless ox--you betcha!
Jay
Maggie - so you've joined Kristal and Teresa with your photo...
We have banyan trees in our downtown waterfront park in St Pete and everyone just loves them. I do, too, as long as there isn't one near my house!
Hi Maggie - You have an amazing memory to remember those 2 fears of mine!!!
Ann
I didn't mean to take so long getting back to this post. Sorry! And thanks to the Moderator who saw fit to feature this on Localism. My renewed interest in Localism has just doubled with your support!
Also, I am having trouble with my web browser so I will do a few replies and submit for fear of losing them. It's happened to me several times over the past week. Sometimes technology ain't so grand.
Desiree - thanks for sharing that lovely picture. China! I'm impressed. My kid has an opportunity to visit next year. I have to make sure I sell enough homes =)
Ines - funny, Nick said the same thing about the eyebrow. LOL You may not believe this, but I have been planning the same series! Great minds think alike, no? =)
Cyndee - ahh, to have the energy of a child again... =)
Tracey - prior to moving here I had no idea of their name either. Once I saw them, I had to find out more!
Lola - you did it again! That thing you do with your choice of words. =) I like it.
Michael - what lovely memories. Thanks for sharing them. I guess then you also must remember crabbing on Old Cutler, no? Season starts Nov. 1st. Folks are anxiously awaiting the date.
Gena - next time you're here, please get in touch and I'll make sure to take you around to see them!
Jennifer - I find the same thing. The more gnarled it is, the better!
Sarah - I had to google the Madrona. Very beautiful! I can understand your liking them.
Susie - "tree walls" says it perfectly! Loved it.
Gary - thank you! I was trying hard not to bore with the facts.
Debbie - in Florida and pretty much anywhere else it will grow. Glad you enjoyed it!
Jay - that was a real groaner! You say things with such authority some may actually believe you! LOL
Carole - when you come down for that drive on Old Cutler I promised you, we'll get to see lots of these!
Midori - you got me all weepy-eyed. I can understand that completely. Big, mighty oaks sprawled across roads just added to the devastation. I take all hurricane warnings seriously.
Sharon - for now. I'm already thinking of changing it. My elbow next? =)
George - another great word to describe them!
Ann - only because I can relate. I have one of my very own. LOL
Marlene - I've never been to Hawaii, but I've heard about the tree of which you speak. Can't wait to see it!
Bob & Carolin - it was entirely my pleasure that you enjoyed it!
Lysa - I find it interesting that the Banyan hasn't been introduced in your area yet. Hmmmm...
Paula - I knew I had to focus on Localism but kept putting it off. Thanks for your support!
Sandi - awe, that's sweet. Thanks! Hang on tight, we'll go canoeing next!
Brian - I am enjoying all the different ways these trees can be described. Liquid is another appropriate one!
Janie - thanks! I'm such a square that I am being a rebel in a most non-threatening fashion...I mentioned that I'll probably be changing the pic. The elbow's next!
As crazy and cool as the banyans are, I wish they had better root systems for sustaining higher wind speeds
they are so cool looking - especially with lizards running throughout
Maggie,
What an unusual tree. The story behind the trees is interesting. Somehow "Banyan Tree" sounds better than "Strangler fig". The original tree must be incredible to view.