What tree takes up almost an acre of ground and has more trunks than a herd of elephants? It's the banyan tree that resides on the Thomas Edison estate in Fort Myers, Florida.
There are dozens of different types of banyans and they come in all sizes. The Edison banyan is the third largest in the world.
Instead of growing underground, the banyan roots sprout from branches. As they take in water and food, they strengthen, dropping to the ground to form a sort of prop for the limb. Eventually these roots become a firm part of the tree (figure A).
The first roots are delicate and hair-like and drop to the ground like strands of spaghetti (figure B).
Bob McGuire, chief arborist at the Thomas Edison Estate, counts the prop roots of the Edison banyan (figure C) and finds there are 323.
"Visitors touch the roots and they talk to them," McGuire says. "People are awestruck by the tree. You can tell by their faces. And you know, we still are too. I'm still in awe of it every day."
In the U.S. the banyan flourishes only in Florida and Hawaii. At the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, 75 miles north of the Edison banyan, the large banyans are only one-quarter the size of the Edison banyan. At Selby, the banyan grove is one of the most popular attractions.
"It's probably the most beautiful shade tree that we could possibly find," says Meg Lowman, the gardens' president. "The canopy is very dense, the leaves are thick and leathery, so they keep you cool." Underneath that canopy is a "magic kingdom," full of plenty of twists, turns and surprises.
Guests
Robert (Bob) McGuire
Chief Arborist
Edison-Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-334-7419
Website:
www.edison-ford-estate.comDee Powers
Visitor
4734 Pocahontas Lane
Lakeland, FL 33810
Phone: 863-853-7902
Tammy King
Visitor
340 S. Beach St.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: 386-717-0721
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