How did this plant make it up there?

miamicuse · 02-06-2013, 07:50 PM

A house in Miami has this plant - see the red circle - about 12 feet above ground.

Closer.

Even closer.

It's root penetrated the double 2x12 wood framing and came out on the other side, then vertically down along the column.

and eventually touched the wood deck and continued down to the ground.

Did it start growing up there, and the root found it's way down?

Or did it started down below, and it went up and got bigger and bigger?

**kwikfishron** · 02-06-2013, 08:54 PM

Lack of maintenance, rotted wood.

The thing was just reaching for the sun and then they chopped it's head off.

Canarywood1 · 02-06-2013, 09:12 PM

ANYTHING will grow in Miami!!

dengle · 02-06-2013, 10:22 PM

based on the thickness of the roots at the top vs bottom, i'd say it started at the top. probably a seed either fell from a tree or bird or other wildlife dropped it and it somehow took root.

TarheelTerp · 02-06-2013, 10:34 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkWeMvrNiOM

mgp roofing · 02-07-2013, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengle

based on the thickness of the roots at the top vs bottom, i'd say it started at the top. probably a seed either fell from a tree or bird or other wildlife dropped it and it somehow took root.

Agreed. I have seen weeds and tree seedlings that have taken root in brick chimneys and similar high places.

Duckweather · 02-07-2013, 07:28 AM

But plants don't usually grow downwards since light is above.

dengle · 02-09-2013, 10:38 AM

The main tree is growing up. What's growing down could be considered the main tap root. It's just REALLY long.

Duckweather · 02-09-2013, 02:45 PM

It's only a problem if you live next to the Little Shop of Horrors.

PoleCat · 02-10-2013, 12:12 PM

It looks like a Banyon Tree. They drop what looks like weeping willow branches as they grow and once they reach the ground they put down roots and grow a new trunk. They can spread over an entire property if left alone.

02-06-2013, 07:50 PM	#1
miamicuse Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 415	How did this plant make it up there? A house in Miami has this plant - see the red circle - about 12 feet above ground. Closer. Even closer. It's root penetrated the double 2x12 wood framing and came out on the other side, then vertically down along the column. and eventually touched the wood deck and continued down to the ground. Did it start growing up there, and the root found it's way down? Or did it started down below, and it went up and got bigger and bigger?

02-06-2013, 08:54 PM	#2
kwikfishron Mod Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kansas/Oregon Coast Posts: 4,757	How did this plant make it up there? Lack of maintenance, rotted wood. The thing was just reaching for the sun and then they chopped it's head off. __________________ A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words Especially In The DIY Chatroom -NEW MEMBERS- Please include your basic location in your profile. Some of the answers given are specific to a Region or State.

02-06-2013, 09:12 PM	#3
Canarywood1 Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sarasota,Florida Posts: 1,030	How did this plant make it up there? ANYTHING will grow in Miami!!

02-06-2013, 10:22 PM	#4
dengle Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SE PA Posts: 88	How did this plant make it up there? based on the thickness of the roots at the top vs bottom, i'd say it started at the top. probably a seed either fell from a tree or bird or other wildlife dropped it and it somehow took root.

02-06-2013, 10:34 PM	#5
TarheelTerp MarginallyQualified Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Winston-Salem NC Posts: 2,810	How did this plant make it up there? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkWeMvrNiOM

How did this plant make it up there?