Featuring Chelle (a very good buddy to Kit and me aka HiC) and her 2 traveling buddies. I have permission from Chelle to use these photos but I gave everyone smiley faces. I wanted to show those who are not familiar with Banyan trees a reference for their size. Chelle (in the middle) is 5'5"
I found some info on the St. Pete Banyan trees below
The trees are a type of ficus called a Banyan. Based on their size these trees may look hundreds of years old, but in actuality those at North Straub Park are probably less than 100 years old. Native to India, a 4 foot tall banyan was imported to Florida in 1925 by auto tire businessman Harvey Firestone as a gift to Thomas Edison at his Fort Myers winter home. Edison, Firestone and Henry Ford were on a quest to find an alternative and less expensive source of natural rubber for use in making tires. Today that same tree has grown to over an acre in diameter!
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In the US, banyans are found mostly in South Florida and Hawaii. The trees in St Pete are able to survive this far north because of the "peninsula effect" (the water surrounding Pinellas creates a temperate/sub tropical climate). There are other massive banyans by the Mirror Lake Library and in around the Bahama Shores neighborhood of South St Pete.
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Exactly when these two trees started growing in North Straub Park remains a bit of a mystery but they certainly are impressive. There's a possible reference to one of them on a postcard from the 1930's. So while we don't really know exactly when or how they actually got there, over the years they've grown to be a terrific source of entertainment for kids and adults.
Chelle, my Belle, as always I thank you for taking time out of your fun weekend excursions to share so many lovely photos.😍💝
If you would like to read more about this amazing Banyan tree, click here
Feline Flashback with Madi the magnificent
July 17, 2017
If you had a loving kitty who sat behind your head
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and was entertaining you with acrobatics and agility
Mom would be impressed....
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but she moved so I grabbed the prime real estate
(teeee heee I love it when a feline plan comes together)
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Definitely an interesting tree. I read
ReplyDeletelargest banyan tree in the United States is located in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. Planted in 1873, it spans 1.94 acres (about an entire city block), has 16 major trunks, and reaches over 60 feet in height. 😱
Always love Madi memories. She was a special kitty/diva❣️
Those awesome trees are like something out of Middle-earth.
ReplyDeletethe trees are fascinating... and we love the diva photos
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI have known Banyans in three different countries and love being under their glorious shade! There is something just a little extra special about them. As therer was with Madi! YAM xx