The REAL Ficus nitida.

It's Ficus retusa; however, there's so many varieties and forms. One day it's going to be a giant.

very lovely place :-)

Well, Sunset says Ficus nitida and retusa are the same. retusa being a synonym. I say, Ficus macrocarpa is NOT the same as the other. You can see Andy how F.nitida here,hasnt a bit of winter look. The Ficus macrocarpa I posted in December is only a few blocks away. That isnt as happy with winter- and soft growth got nipped by a 33f temp.
Just my opinion since I haven't had the tree's keyed by a botanist or some technical investigation.
The differences are to my eye..and one sends branches weeping - the other upright,and one is z10a winter stressed slightly,the other not at all.

Yes, macrocarpa just means larger leaves. There's so many here. I love the variety 'nuda' which has very willowy druping branches. It looks like a "Willow Ficus".

Some books say Macrocarpa is a variety of Ficus benjamina. It's really difficult to say for sure...as there's so many hybrids.

Check out Bernieh's pics from Brisbane, Australia. She's lives in Townsville, though. She has some beautiful old Ficus 'Nuda' pics which are probably 50 years old and are in downtown Brisbane, Australia. They're gorgeous! It might take some time to find them because she has a lot of photos posted like me. :>))

Ah-Thanks. I will look for her.

I heard- read- too that nuda was a larger leafed Ficus Benjamina.
But the Hayward tree might not be a cultivar of F.benjamina...possibly a hybrid-yes,because of the size and cold tolerance. On the other hand,so many F.benjamina in soucal nurserys- somebody actually picked out a much more cold tolerant one..gets to be a tree even in the bay area? I'm not sold on that idea though.

btw- There were three of weeping tree's in a church parking lot. Two were cut down- larger- because they were in the middle of the asphalt parking area and had lifted up pavement.
Me? I make a larger opening for the tree's. The asphalt was already shot.