Ficus Tree - South of Spain

Susannah · 26th July 2007, 09:03 AM

Hi, I am Susannah living in the UK but have just come back from helping my brother out at his house in south of Spain, on the coast. There are several Ficus trees which were shrubs when I last last there 9 years ago. Now they are 30 foot high heavily branched trees, some multi trunked, and causing complete shade. There are signs of aerial tree (above ground) roots which have extended to under the patio. We cant get these trees cut down without local permission - and we have been refused. We are worried about the roots system getting through to our basement. We got into trouble for cutting one down; with a girth of 25 inches. The stump is about 6" above ground and the aerial roots still in place. What can we do to kill this root (stop it sprouting again). We are worried the roots will carry on growing into our basement even though we have cut the tree down. Finally, are there any allergies that this tree causes ? I was told that it can give a skin disease called Urticaria ? Is this so - and does it apply when wet or is it the pollen. Any ammunition you can give us so that we can get permission to have this pest of a species taken down, will help our cause. Thanks

Ekka · 26th July 2007, 02:32 PM

Welcome

I moved your post from the Welcome thread as it's a good one.

Yes, ficus trees can cause many problems and with the recent amount of research I have done on tree roots and there impact upon soil and structures you have plenty of ammo.

First of all, yes, I suffer from rashes from these trees, caused from the dust/sawdust/sap. However in the authorities eyes they may think providing the tree isn't cut you wont suffer the problem.

More info on that here. Photo dermatitis from ficus sap, and there's others too.

There's many types of ficus trees, you need to get it identified, take some pics, close up of leaves and overall. We will then be able to inform you of the mature size.

They have an aggressive root system which can easily travel 7x the drip line of the tree.

Also you need to know what type of foundation and soil the house has. Tree roots can go beneath a raft slab and extract moisture. On a reactive clay soil the raft slab may subside and the house cracks (if made of brick). Cracks generally start from corners and windows/doors etc and travel along the mortar lines of the brick. Look carefully over the house and see.

There's this thread on soil subsidence and trees. Soil subsidence and trees

So, if you are to take on the authorities so you can remove this tree then you need to do some research and supply some data. Then hit them between the eyes.

In extreme circumstances authorities may argue that if root barrier and pruning were undertaken the tree could stay for many years ... that would be their only saviour. In response to that and the long term costs and maintenance as root barrier doesn't last forever is offering a replacement planting, something more suitable.

Failing all of the above, also discreetly find out if dead trees are protected or deemed hazardous and removed.

Susannah · 26th July 2007, 03:52 PM

Thank you Eric for your quick and detailed response. I need to get a leaf then you can identify the specis. This Ficus seems to be the most common species that is planted in Spain.

The one we cut down before being caught - the one with the aerial root noseing its way to our patio 6 feet away (the marble has already cracked) - will it sprout again? What is the best way to kill this off ? I had heard if you cut the tree down, its tree root system goes into overdrive and manifests itself again. Is this true ?

By the way, as the tree we cut down was about 20 feet tall, and out patio is 6 feet from the trunk, what would you estimate the root length to be ?

We have 4 larger specimens all grouped together and within 30 feet of the patio (and basement).

In between the patio and the tree root is turf which is constantly wet - we think because the underground pipe from a water sprinkler system which runs between the tree and out patio has been "attacked" by the root system. The underground pipe is not very deep under the surface.

Your thoughts would be welcome. Many thanks.

Ekka · 26th July 2007, 04:21 PM

Ficus roots can travel easily 7x canopy width.

If you poison that root chances are you may kill other trees as the roots graft underground.

It will probably be either ficus benjamina or hillii, one droops and the other is stiffer but leaves are very similar. Ficus tend to jump roots barriers within 2 years, and they'll grow over the top! BAD TREES NEAR BUILDINGS!

mdvaden · 26th July 2007, 10:33 PM

And they look so cute in pots in our shopping malls here. They don't grow outside in Oregon.

26th July 2007, 09:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Susannah I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	Ficus Tree - South of Spain Hi, I am Susannah living in the UK but have just come back from helping my brother out at his house in south of Spain, on the coast. There are several Ficus trees which were shrubs when I last last there 9 years ago. Now they are 30 foot high heavily branched trees, some multi trunked, and causing complete shade. There are signs of aerial tree (above ground) roots which have extended to under the patio. We cant get these trees cut down without local permission - and we have been refused. We are worried about the roots system getting through to our basement. We got into trouble for cutting one down; with a girth of 25 inches. The stump is about 6" above ground and the aerial roots still in place. What can we do to kill this root (stop it sprouting again). We are worried the roots will carry on growing into our basement even though we have cut the tree down. Finally, are there any allergies that this tree causes ? I was told that it can give a skin disease called Urticaria ? Is this so - and does it apply when wet or is it the pollen. Any ammunition you can give us so that we can get permission to have this pest of a species taken down, will help our cause. Thanks

26th July 2007, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,830	Welcome I moved your post from the Welcome thread as it's a good one. Yes, ficus trees can cause many problems and with the recent amount of research I have done on tree roots and there impact upon soil and structures you have plenty of ammo. First of all, yes, I suffer from rashes from these trees, caused from the dust/sawdust/sap. However in the authorities eyes they may think providing the tree isn't cut you wont suffer the problem. More info on that here. Photo dermatitis from ficus sap, and there's others too. There's many types of ficus trees, you need to get it identified, take some pics, close up of leaves and overall. We will then be able to inform you of the mature size. They have an aggressive root system which can easily travel 7x the drip line of the tree. Also you need to know what type of foundation and soil the house has. Tree roots can go beneath a raft slab and extract moisture. On a reactive clay soil the raft slab may subside and the house cracks (if made of brick). Cracks generally start from corners and windows/doors etc and travel along the mortar lines of the brick. Look carefully over the house and see. There's this thread on soil subsidence and trees. Soil subsidence and trees So, if you are to take on the authorities so you can remove this tree then you need to do some research and supply some data. Then hit them between the eyes. In extreme circumstances authorities may argue that if root barrier and pruning were undertaken the tree could stay for many years ... that would be their only saviour. In response to that and the long term costs and maintenance as root barrier doesn't last forever is offering a replacement planting, something more suitable. Failing all of the above, also discreetly find out if dead trees are protected or deemed hazardous and removed. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

26th July 2007, 03:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Susannah I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	Ficus Tree - Spain Thank you Eric for your quick and detailed response. I need to get a leaf then you can identify the specis. This Ficus seems to be the most common species that is planted in Spain. The one we cut down before being caught - the one with the aerial root noseing its way to our patio 6 feet away (the marble has already cracked) - will it sprout again? What is the best way to kill this off ? I had heard if you cut the tree down, its tree root system goes into overdrive and manifests itself again. Is this true ? By the way, as the tree we cut down was about 20 feet tall, and out patio is 6 feet from the trunk, what would you estimate the root length to be ? We have 4 larger specimens all grouped together and within 30 feet of the patio (and basement). In between the patio and the tree root is turf which is constantly wet - we think because the underground pipe from a water sprinkler system which runs between the tree and out patio has been "attacked" by the root system. The underground pipe is not very deep under the surface. Your thoughts would be welcome. Many thanks.

26th July 2007, 04:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,830	Ficus roots can travel easily 7x canopy width. If you poison that root chances are you may kill other trees as the roots graft underground. It will probably be either ficus benjamina or hillii, one droops and the other is stiffer but leaves are very similar. Ficus tend to jump roots barriers within 2 years, and they'll grow over the top! BAD TREES NEAR BUILDINGS! __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

26th July 2007, 10:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
mdvaden Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 543	And they look so cute in pots in our shopping malls here. They don't grow outside in Oregon. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap

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