The Great Banyan

Apart of the Great Banyan

Away from the busy Eastern metropolis of India, traveling through the best of an engineering marvels; along the river Hoogly is the home to one of the world's oldest banyan tree. The tree is more than 250 years old now. According to the information bulletin at the site, the tree existed at this site even before the establishment of the garden in 1787. The tree was damaged to a great extent by two devastating cyclones in the year 1864 and 1867. The main trunk was removed in the year 1925 due to fungal attack. At the time of removal, the tree had attended a girth of 16.5 m at 17 m height. The tree has been placed in the Guinness book of world records for its greatest canopy. The tree is popularly known as the 'Great Banyan Tree' , 'Immortal Tree', 'Walking Tree' etc

Quick facts: (*as on March 2013)
Scientific name: Ficus benghalensis Linn.
Family: Moraceae
Age: More than 250 years old
Highest branch: 24.5m
Circumference: More than 450m
Prop roots: 3618
Canopy area: 1.6 hectares (3.9 acres)
Main trunk removed: 1925
Girth of main trunk when removed: 16.5 m
Height of main trunk when removed: 17 m

Read on Tripoto: The Great Banyan