Appearance

• The Strangler Fig is a fast growing tree that can quickly reach heights of 60 feet, with a similar spread. The canopy of the tree is dense, showcasing shiny, dark green leaves that are about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. The tree produces large aerial roots which act like rigid trunks once they establish themselves in the ground. The strangler fig produces round yellow fruits that are about 1/2 an inch in diameter and very popular with birds.
  
  

Propagation

• The spherical fruits of the tree contain sticky seeds, which are spread through bird droppings. Seeds fall from the bird and attach themselves to a host tree. The cabbage palm is a common host for the Strangler Fig. Seeds germinate within the palm's branches, eventually forming roots that cover the tree. Strangler Figs may be purposefully propagated by cuttings or by seed. They are also available in potted form in some nurseries within the tree's native range.
  
  

Habitat

• The Strangler Fig is a native of southern Florida and the West Indies, where it grows in tropical hardwood forests known as "hammocks," as well as in sandy coastal regions. The tree will grow in most soil types, including heavy clay soils and light, sandy soils. The Strangler Fig is tolerant of both acidic and alkaline soils, as well as those that are flooded for brief periods. The Strangler Fig will grow in sun or shade in USDA zones 10 to 11.
  
  

Problems

• The Strangler Fig's seeds germinate with little effort, and the plant may even become invasive in other gardens if preferred host trees are nearby. The tree is largely disease free, though aphids and scale may occur. Scale may be prevented with regular applications of horticultural oil, while aphids can often be removed with a strong stream of water or the introduction of predatory insects. The tree's nearly constant, prolific fruit drop can cause a mess underneath the tree.