Ficus benghalensis - Indian Banyan Tree

THAT would be so much fun to grow. Even small trees make the huge amount of roots- even in Arizona.

It is. I had one for years until it burst out of the pot...then I had to sell it.

I grew one up in the SF Bay Area for many years. It grew fast in Hayward and Fremont and got really big, also (I sold that one, also). The major problem is the roots and it eventually becomes a large tree even in Southern California. The largest one known is in the San Dimas area around Los Angeles. Last I think it's around 65' and has a huge spread with many aerial roots. There's some 30 to 40 foot (maybe taller ones that I haven't seen) here in San Diego. It's one of the very few Ficus species which goes semi-dormant in winter here. It loves a lot of water, fertilizer and heat and it will grow like crazy!

The trees in photo have been cut back several times. They put out these 10' whips in all directions when it's really hot, in summer. I'm not sure why they just don't let them grow. There's plenty of room there.