Ficus elastica 'Decora' - Rubber Tree

lovely set of photos again D

Yorkshire:

Thanks! Glad you liked them. :>)

What a size, never seen one that large.

Dottydaisy2:

I've actually posted larger Rubber trees in the past, on GoY. It's a very commonly planted tree here.

Amazing......!!

Large Ficus species are some of the wonders of the Plant Kingdom. Some of the giants that grow here are:
F. bengalensis - Indian Banyan, F. macrophylla - Australian Banyan, F. nitida, retusa - Chinese Banyan or Indian Laurel, F. rubiginosa - Port Jackson Fig...and there's hundreds more.

Here's some links to some of my pics:

http://www.growsonyou.com/Delonix1/photos/ficus

http://www.growsonyou.com/Delonix1/photos/fig?page=1

I am suprised they have it so close to that building with the root system lovely photo of it though..

Most likely when it was planted the building wasn't there.

Yes that would be more likely they might of trimmed the roots before building took place like they have done here.

It could have been much smaller when the building was built. I'm not sure what the history is of this tree. It looks like it may be 50 year or so. The building was probably built in the early 70's.

Yes thats possible or planted at the time it was built. I was always told as big as the canopy top is as big as the root system looking at the photo the roots must be under the building or close by it.Thats

I'm sure the roots are around this building. Ficus trees have a gigantic root system much bigger than many other trees.l This is why it's not recommended to plant them by homes our sidewalks.

I am sure your right Andy you ll know if one day if the building collapes or starts cracking. Planners are a bit nieve at times where plants are concerned.

They could have put a big root divider around the tree. It's common around commercial buildings and houses if a person has enough money. It's not cheap.

Ahrr I did nt know they could do that never heard of this being done I am suprised any thing could stop a root system especially one that grows so vigorous.

It's commonly done with large Ficus species. It does cost a lot of money, though. I think my neighbor down the street did it with their very large Ficus benjamina last year. It took quite a while. It's always good to force the roots deep where there's more water...especially, in this very dry climate.

Yes best roots go down instead of outwards unless of course if you have to dig it up roots can go a long way down on some plants. I could imagine it took a while for your neighbour.