The Great Banyan is a biological marvel. It is a single tree, yet it’s also a forest that covers 3.5 acres. Found in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical garden in Howrah, India, it is the largest tree by area and among the biggest organisms on earth.
More interestingly, the tree still thrives without its original trunk. But even without its trunk, the tree grows and covers more ground each year. Today, it has the widest canopy covering an area of about 156,000 square feet.
The story of the Great Banyan
Before we dive into the history of the Great Banyan, it’s important to understand the spiritual significance of the banyans. The banyan tree (Ficus benghalesis) is native to India and is among the hundreds of species of fig trees.
Fig trees are part of parables, folklore, and faith stories in several cultures and religions. Hindus believe that the banyan tree is home to their three main gods. In Buddhism, it is said that the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under one such tree, which is now known as the Bodhi tree.
In some Native American cultures, the banyan tree is believed to be a symbol of fertility and the source of all life. In African folklore, it is believed to be a sacred tree that connects the living with the dead. It is believed that the spirits of ancestors reside in the tree, and offerings are made to them to seek their blessings.
So this tree is not only a tourist attraction; it also holds an important place in the hearts of many. It has medicinal value, it’s a food source during famines, and its shade provides a great meeting place.
The Great Banyan is more than 250 years old. But throughout its life, the tree has seen its fair share of turbulent times.
First, the tree survived two great cyclones in 1864 and 1867 (some accounts say 1884 and 1886). These two cyclones caused the tree trunk to open, leaving it vulnerable to fungal infections. But it weathered this storm and recovered.
However, in 1925 it was struck by lightning. This time the original trunk wasn’t so lucky; it burst open, caught an infection, and had to be removed to save the healthier parts. But despite losing its trunk, the tree continued surviving by producing new shoots or stems from its existing root system.
In 1989, it was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the tree covering the widest area with the largest canopy in the world.
How do banyans grow so large?
Besides the Great Banyan, there are other banyan trees with equally fascinating stories and fitting names. They include Kabir’s tree, the Old Banyan, the Big Banyan, and the Gigantic Banyan. These trees are famous for their enormous size and longevity — no wonder they are linked with immortality!
First, the tree grows so large because of the aerial prop roots that sprout from the branches growing downward toward the ground. Once they reach the ground, they take root and mature until they appear like trunks. Over time, the tree spreads in several directions and grows out to form its amazing widespread canopy.
So if you look at a banyan, the trunks seem like separate trees in a forest, even though they are part of one plant spreading out.
Secondly, these trees are hardy survivors. They can thrive in different soil conditions and through adverse conditions like storms, droughts, and floods. Also, they have tap roots and unique root structures that help them survive through changing conditions. The wide-spreading roots also help them get nutrients and water from a wider area.
This is how the Great Banyan tree grew to be so wide.
The widest tree on Earth
Today, the Great Banyan has more than 3,610 roots in its intricate “forest.” A long road was built around the tree to allow people to drive or walk around the tree’s outer circumference. But amazingly, the tree has grown outside this “designated boundary.” So visiting the place is like driving through a natural tunnel.
The icing on the cake is that there are other plant and animal populations in the canopy. Plants include orchids, screw pines, Amazon water lilies, and more. And animals include large snakes, jackals, Indian foxes, and more.
It’s easy to see how these trees became revered by people throughout history down to modern times.
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