Banyan Tree

July 15, 2008 /

Me and the Banyan Tree
Have you ever seen something that made you realize that the world doesn’t always work the way that you think it does?  Often it’s a matter of nature…an animal or a plant that is so different than what you might expect to see, that it makes you stop in your tracks and think.  While in Hawaii, I was struck by this very strange looking tree…turns out it’s an Indian Banyan Tree, which originates in India.  The branches of the Banyan tree fan out over a large canopy, much like an Oak tree.  One problem with Oak trees is that when the branches grow long and cover a large space, they can lose strength and easily break.
Banyan roots
The Banyan tree has developed in such a way that it has what are called ‘aerial roots’.  I had never heard of aerial roots before, but they pretty much made me realize that I don’t really know the world as well as I thought I did.  The Banyan produces roots, which are fairly thin and dangly, from its branches. They reach slowly down toward the ground, and if they find a hospitable environment, they take up there, dig in deep, strengthen the tree, and grow strong and solid. I didn’t know that trees could put down roots from the branch, and have them attach themselves into the ground.  It’s incredible to look at, isn’t it?
Banyan roots up close
The first time I saw a Banyan tree was the last time we were in Hawaii, in 2005.  I noticed the aerial roots hanging down, but I thought they were some kind of moss or something.  Having never been to the deep south, they looked like I imagined the Spanish Moss that I’ve read about so many times might look.  Of course, they’re completely the wrong texture for that, even in the just dangly stage, but I didn’t really think that much about it then.  Now, I think they’re amazing.

Simply amazing.  And beautiful, too.

10 Comments

  • Ted

    July 15, 2008 at 1:25 pm

    They are very cool trees — and I mean that literally! I was boiling hot that day, and it was nice to be in their shade for a few minutes. 🙂

  • Cherry

    July 15, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Very Pretty!

    While in LA we saw a large Magnolia tree with aerial roots as well! It’s on Santa Monica BLVD right next to the big Beverly Hills sign, if you ever wanted to check it out. We sat under it eating lovely cool gelato.

  • MRMacrum

    July 16, 2008 at 4:15 am

    The Banyan tree is/was one of the poster children examples of why Hawaii is so sensitive to the introduction of plants and animals not indigenous to the Islands. They are very cool trees though.

  • Wanderlust Scarlett

    July 16, 2008 at 9:21 am

    Wow… that’s amazing! I’ve never seen anything like that at all, thank you so much for showing it, and for explaining about it.

    Now, when I see one on my travels, I will know what it is, and I will think of you!

    Scarlett & Viaggiatore

  • C

    July 17, 2008 at 6:16 pm

    That is spectacular! Truly breathtaking, J!

    Often in my travels, I come across remarkable things nature has to share with us. When I was in Japan, it was the bonsai that captivated me. I suppose they weren’t really “natural”, since people shape them and contort them in all sorts of amazing ways. My dad used to do bonsai and he told me that people just help guide the plants by following their natural form and what they are meant to be. You can’t “force” things.