TreeRM

Banyan

Ficus benghalensis 路 Moraceae 路 also Indian banyan, Bargad, Vata

The national tree of India, an evergreen fig to around 30 m whose branches drop aerial roots that thicken into extra trunks, so one tree can spread over hectares (the Great Banyan in Kolkata is the most famous). It shades village meetings, markets and temples and feeds birds, bats and monkeys with its red figs. It starts life as an epiphyte and can kill its host and wreck buildings, so it belongs only in large open spaces.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingSun or part shadeLow water
Banyan
Wikimedia Commons, file Great_banyan_tree_kol.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚙馃嚛 Bangladeshsource
  • 馃嚠馃嚦 India 路 National tree of Indiasource
  • 馃嚤馃嚢 Sri Lankasource
  • 馃嚦馃嚨 Nepalsource
  • 馃嚨馃嚢 Pakistansource

Adapted

  • 馃嚘馃嚭 QLD, Australia 路 Introduced per WCVPsource
  • 馃嚥馃嚥 Myanmar (Burma) 路 Introduced per WCVPsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United States 路 Introduced; NC State Extension notes it is a serious weed in Florida but it is not on the FISC 2025 listsource

Care

Plant far from structures, drains and paving; minimal watering once established and it tolerates drought. No pruning beyond removing hazardous limbs; aerial roots can be guided or cut. Sap irritates skin. Mealybugs, scale and spider mites are minor. In Florida it is noted as a serious weed though not on the FISC list.

Benefits

ShadeBirdsWildlifeLong livedDrought tolerantFast canopy

Good for

parksYard shade

Watch out for

Large rootsSurface rootsHeavy litterInvasive elsewhere