[miamicuse]

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]

Lack of maintenance, rotted wood.

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

 

[Canarywood1]

ANYTHING will grow in Miami!!

 

[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.

 

[TarheelTerp]

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

 

[mgp roofing]

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]

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

 

[dengle]

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

 

[Duckweather]

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

 

[PoleCat]

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.