Hugemongous Moreton Bay Fig

January 11, 2011 by Megan | 12 Comments

Moreton Bay Fig Tree - Ficus macrophylla

Near the Amtrak station in Santa Barbara, there’s one of the biggest Moreton Bay Fig trees in the country. This monstrous fig spans just under 200 feet wide. Wow, that like 4 Greyhound buses parked end to end. Look above. You see that little black thing on the far right?

Southern Pacific Train by Amtrak

It’s the old SP 142, a retired Southern Pacific train car. Looks like the tree was last measured in 2010. Not a record breaker, but still an awesome sight.

We accidentally stumbled upon this Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) while looking for place to rest our bones after looking at plants all day. It’s located on the corner of Chapala St and West Montecito St… a block down from a great brew pub coincidental called the Brewhouse.

Detail of the foliage.

Ahh, great foliage on this tree. Green on top, and a bronze pubescence on the underside of these stiff leathery leaves.

Buttress roots at the trunk.

I learned an odd tidbit about Ficus macrophylla. It’s considered a banyan fig, that is, their seeds can lodge themselves into the canopy of a host tree. It germinates high above the ground and can live as an epiphyte. During this stage, the fig sends down roots to the ground often wrapping these feelers around its host. Eventually the fig takes root becoming freestanding, and I guess at this point…technically becomes a tree.

Megan with the Fig

Those buttress roots above dwarf Megan. So, what’s the story behind this gem? The worn plaque next to the tree states it best:

This Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Ficus macrophylla) was planted in 1877 on land then owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. The tree was officially designated as a historic landmark in 1970 and the property was deeded to the City of Santa Barbara in 1976. The tree is believed to be the largest of its kind in the United States. Measured in November 1991, the branch spread was 167 feet with a total height of 76 feet. The trunk diameter above the buttress roots is 12.5 feet.

For your own safety and for the health and preservation of the tree, please enjoy the tree from the area beyond the surface roots and do not climb on or carve into the roots or branches.