“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass . . . and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind . . . and it was so.” Genesis 1:11
It was on the fifth day of creation that trees appeared at the command of the Creator, some no larger than a bush and others huge like the giant redwood of California. Included in these were the interesting banyan trees. They always amaze visitors who see them for the first time in India, Hawaii and some tropical islands.
This tree has a most unusual way of growing. Its branches grow extremely long, and supports for the branches grow down and take root as soon as they touch the soil. This provides a new source of food and soon enlarges the support into another trunk. New branches grow from these trunks and are soon growing more supports down to the soil. The result is that a single old tree can look like a small forest.
People or animals can easily walk through these small forests, but, inch by inch, over a period of time, these enlarging trunks press against each other and the mother tree, continually adding to its size. Because of this, the trees eventually become larger in circumference than in height, and some have been found to be more than a third of a mile around. The largest known banyan tree has 350 large trunks and over 3000 smaller ones.
These trees not only provide welcome shade, but they also produce pretty flowers that attract insects to pollinate them. If undisturbed, a bright red fig-like fruit develops. This fruit is not suitable for man to eat, but birds and bats find it a welcome food supply. A bird carrying one of these fruits to a palm or other tree may let some of the seeds drop into the top branches. With the benefit of mist or occasional showers, the seeds will sprout and send roots down to the ground. Branches soon develop and grow just like the other banyans, sending supports down and starting the process that eventually will turn into another huge banyan tree. Eventually the young banyan tree kills the tree that is supporting it.
It is certain that no one person, no matter how far he may have travelled, has ever seen all forms of creation placed on the earth by the Creator. But they are all known to Him, as a Bible verse tells us: “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18).
The Banyan is native to India, but they can be found in the United States and other parts of the world, especially Asia. It grows as a young tree and then, as it gets larger, the heavy limbs put forth roots which drop to the ground to form a secondary trunk to support the large limbs. Step under an old Banyan tree, and you are stepping into what looks like a mini-forest. They can grow, therefore, to an absolutely enormous size, and have a long life span. If you look you can see all of the secondary trunks supporting the older, heavy limbs. People gather, as indeed they do in many Asian communities, to discuss issues and concerns of a village under this tree.
The banyan tree is an Indian fig tree whose branches produce aerial roots that can mature and cover several acres. Banyans are the biggest trees in the world in terms of total coverage area. The largest banyan is in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh; it covers 4.7 acres and can shelter 20,000 people. Banyan trees naturally create sacred spaces with their massive roots that seem to come from the sky. They can form a multi-columned temple from a single trunk.
Greek historians wrote of Alexander the Great and his army of 7,000 people taking shelter under a single Banyan tree in 326 BCE.
Hindu texts describe the banyan as the world tree that grows upside-down to bring blessings to humanity. Yogis spoke to large crowds of people under the shade of a banyan tree. The banyan also provided back support and shelter during periods of prolonged meditation. It is said that Krishna (Hindu god of compassion, tenderness and love) read the Bhagavad Gita under a banyan tree.
In 1667 and 1674, English poet John Milton immortalized the banyan tree in his epic poem “Paradise Lost.”
The Banyan got a big boost in popularity when one was planted in 1933 by a Hollywood producer filming on the islands. This single tree led to the creation of Banyan Tree Drive. For years after this first tree was planted many prominent guests and Hawaiian royalty have planted trees lining this street.
Nowadays the drive leads to a fancy hotel and golf course and visitors love to stop along the way to see who planted which tree. Tidal waves have uprooted some of the trees over the years but there are still 50 standing today.
From Franklin D. Roosevelt to Amelia Earhart and “Babe” Ruth the drive is lined with trees planted by greats like these. If you were important on the islands or the US in the 1930s-1950s you likely have a tree and plaque along this road.
In a garden outside of Kolkata India is the broadest tree in the world, known as The Great Banyan. This tree is about 250 years old and it covers almost 5 acres—that’s 4.5 football fields. The garden consists of this one tree and it provides an entire ecosystem on its own.
The Banyan tree can grow so broad because of its root system. Rather than growing underground, its roots grow from its branches, so it’s always growing outward.
Banyans, like other Focus trees, have a unique form of pollination. These trees provide shelter and fruit for a specific kind of wasp that is their only pollinator. Without these specific wasps, the trees couldn’t produce fruit for birds. Also known as the strangler fig, its seed sprouts and grows on other trees.
As the seeds of a Banyan grow on its host, it drops its roots to the ground and they slowly grow around the other tree. After years of growth, the host will be ‘strangled’ and die. The host dying is not all bad news. Once it has decayed it leaves a hollowed-out place where it once stood. This area becomes a place for animals and birds to build their homes.
Almost every piece of the Banyan tree has its own medicinal properties. Pieces of the tree have been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine to treat illnesses and inflammation. Name your ailment and a piece of the Banyan tree likely has a source of relief.
Leaves have many uses including relieving diarrhoea and dysentery. They can be used topically on growths to break them down. The leaves can also be brewed into alcohol, and used for women during pregnancy to strengthen uterine muscles. The bark can be used to control diabetes. Paste from the roots to help tighten and firm up skin. The roots themselves can be used to clean teeth and fight gum disease. The milky juice of the tree (the latex) can be used to kill warts and combat inflammation.
Banyan trees first appeared in Hindu texts 2500 years ago and hold huge significance in the religion. The tree has many ties to some of the most well-known of the Hindu gods including Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva.
Each of these three Lords are thought to be represented in different parts of the tree. Lord Vishnu is in the bark. Lord Shiva in the branches and Lord Brahma is present in the roots.
In the Hindu religion, it represents longevity and immortality. The tree is thought to grant all wishes and provide material gains to its followers. It is often planted near temples and crematories because of its significance in the religion.
The Banyan also has roots in the Buddhist religion. It is said to be the tree that the Buddha sat under when he attained enlightenment, referred to as the Bodhi tree. In European history, Alexander the Great and his army came across a Banyan tree in 326 BCE. This tree was so amazing to them that they returned home and described this amazing tree to a botanist so it could be chronicled.
In the modern world, besides Banyan Drive in Hawaii, it shows up in a variety of places. From brand names to a giant resort chain, the name Banyan is used to hint at its historical importance.
Banyan is best left out of the home. Indian architecture practices consider them bad luck to have near or in your home. Beyond that, the very nature of the Banyan tree makes it a difficult house plant. The Banyan tree is important for so many reasons. It’s a sustaining life force within its habitat and for the entire globe. Because of the large number of fruit it produces, it sustains many birds, bats, and other critters.
It’s also essential to preserve the Banyan Tree because of its big leaves and fast canopy. It’s one of the top oxygen suppliers among trees—giving life to our planet. We must protect the trees we have while planting more.
The banyan is the national tree of India. Banyan trees are large evergreen fig trees that can shield and protect us from the outside world. Once inside their sacred embrace, we sense the presence of this wise spirit that honours our need for privacy and introspection. The banyan encourages us to go within ourselves as we reflect on our life and who we are becoming. Our reflection should mirror the integrity we seek in our search for deeper self-awareness.
Lord, let me be like the banyan tree. Let my roots grow deep, so that my faith will remain steady and safe when the winds blow. Let me give profusely of myself, sharing with all according to their need. Let my home be always a place of shelter and safety, and let me bask in the sunlight of your grace. Amen.
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