No, the title of this post is not a trick question. I saw this amazing tree while out driving, and I’d love to know what it is. Here are the pics I took:
Ground level
Close up
Up and up and up….
Berries?
The colour and shape of the leaves made me think it might be like the magnolia grandiflora we used to have in Dad’s old garden. It was small to medium tree-sized, but I don’t remember it having berries. I also can’t remember ever seeing one so very, very, very big! And those roots! Hard to believe it’s growing near the corner of a busy intersection in one of the more inner suburbs of Melbourne.
If you know what this tree is, please let me know in comments.
Thanks,
Meeks
June 9th, 2019 at 11:06 am
Moreton Bay Fig … and it’s just getting started! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 9th, 2019 at 11:35 am
lol – thanks, Wids. You’re the second person who’s said it’s still young. Colour me gobsmacked!
LikeLiked by 2 people
June 8th, 2019 at 9:11 pm
One of my favourite trees ( but then the list is very long!). There were a couple in my school, and the roots were the most amazing place to play. As you said, a fairy land of the imagination!
There is this beautiful book about a Morton Bay Fig, by Gary Crew and illustrations by the incomparable Shaun Tan
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/64037.Memorial
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 9th, 2019 at 10:28 am
lol – you were so lucky! All we had at my old primary school was a stand of cypress. As I recall, we made ‘cubbies’ in the spaces between each tree. Now I’m wondering if it would be possible to grow a Moreton Bay Fig here in Warrandyte. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 6:44 pm
That is an incredible tree! I love all trees, but especially the magnificent ones. Thanks for showing it to us…
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Very welcome. š I couldn’t believe that it would be right there, in such a suburban setting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
They are beautiful trees, fortunately they cope with buit-up areas but I love them out in paddock… they just invite a picnic or long lunch table.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 7:33 pm
Oh, I’d love to see one in a more natural setting. It would be simply magical!
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
That one is a baby – they grow much bigger. An example of why not to put a pot plant in the ground.
Animals like these trees – lots of food, lots of places to find shelter. I love Moreton Bay figs, but only in the parks, thanks very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 7:35 pm
B-baby…? Oh my god. I thought it was already huge. And yes, not quite the right location for it. I do like that the fairly modern building behind it was built without disturbing the tree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
It’s definitely a Moreton bay fig
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Hi Jen! Thanks for confirming. Believe it or not, this is literally the first Moreton Bay Fig I’ve ever seen. Simply mind blowing.
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
What a glorious tree…We have many like that here but I don’t know what the name is..not much help is it?… generally there are coloured scarves tied around the trunk all to do with Buddism…The Thais call them holy trees or spirit trees but I haven’t been able to find out the actual botanical name
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
Hi Carol! Neil and Jennifer have both named it the Moreton Bay Fig and once I had a name, I found pics online of the very same tree. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Cool…pleased you have a name Meeks it has such a glorious root system doesn’t it…I do love trees…
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Yeah, it’s quite extraordinary. If I were still a kid I’d love to play amongst those roots. Talk about a fairy land of the imagination. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 5:19 pm
I know the kids have great fun here as we have many trees with interesting roots but always very smooth trunks …. š
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
lol – pity we’re too big to play there too. š
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 11:19 am
Possibly a Moreton Bay fig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Oh! Didn’t think of that. Thanks. I’ll see if I can find some pics online. š
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I grew up in Perth, where we had some Moreton Bay figs as street trees. I had forgotten what they looked like, but the base of that tree (your picture) gave a pretty good hint.
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Yes, once I had a name, I found more pics online and they do look exactly like my mystery tree. Can’t thank you enough for passing on the info!
LikeLike
June 8th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Just found a great close up of the berries and I think you’re right about it being a Moreton Bay fig:
http://bonsai-misadventures.blogspot.com/2016/03/grow-fig-tree-from-seed-moreton-bay.html
LikeLiked by 2 people
June 8th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
The only difference is that the underside of the leaves is green rather than reddish [like the one here in Melbourne]. Maybe different conditions?
LikeLiked by 1 person