Ficus religiosa

THE BO TREE

                Ficus religiosa is associated with Buddism as it's the tree under which Budda became enlightened. The original tree is said to still be living and any leaf that falls is quickly picked up as a good luck souvenir. Cuttings from the original tree were rooted and sent throughout the world for planting on the grounds of Buddist churches and such a tree exists two miles away from Fuku-Bonsai at the Puna Hongawanji in Keaau.

         Photo 1. This tree growing on the grounds of Hilo's Waiakea Intermediate School is about 25 years old. Although planted as a single trunk small tree, it quickly developed multiple trunks as new trunks emerged from the root base. This seems to be a Bo Tree characteristic as all specimens that I've examined have this trait.

          Photo 2. This tree is over 75 years old on the grounds of Puna Hongawanji. As the central crown became dense with leaves, the outer trunks bent outwards to seek more light and the tree became wider. I've studied this tree from the time I moved to the Big Island in 1973. At that time, the tree was about 50 years old and the structure was somewhere between the first two photos. In the last 25 years, the tree is not much taller, but is at least twice as wide.

          Photo 3. In Hawaii these trees drop their leaves annually and the first two photos were taken in June before the new leaves developed. July and August are part of the Bon Dance Season when Buddists honor their ancestors just as the fresh new leaves are developing. The thin new leaves appear to be a pinkish tan when they emerge.

          Photo 4. A few of the leaves are beginning to turn green. At this stage, the leaves are thin and there are beautiful patterns and shadows. On long leaf stems, the leaves seem to shimmer in the slightest breeze. The Bo Tree is one of a very few tropical trees that drop leaves annually. It does not have any amount of aerial banyan roots.

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	Photo 1. This tree growing on the grounds of Hilo's Waiakea Intermediate School is about 25 years old. Although planted as a single trunk small tree, it quickly developed multiple trunks as new trunks emerged from the root base. This seems to be a Bo Tree characteristic as all specimens that I've examined have this trait.
	Photo 2. This tree is over 75 years old on the grounds of Puna Hongawanji. As the central crown became dense with leaves, the outer trunks bent outwards to seek more light and the tree became wider. I've studied this tree from the time I moved to the Big Island in 1973. At that time, the tree was about 50 years old and the structure was somewhere between the first two photos. In the last 25 years, the tree is not much taller, but is at least twice as wide.
	Photo 3. In Hawaii these trees drop their leaves annually and the first two photos were taken in June before the new leaves developed. July and August are part of the Bon Dance Season when Buddists honor their ancestors just as the fresh new leaves are developing. The thin new leaves appear to be a pinkish tan when they emerge.
	Photo 4. A few of the leaves are beginning to turn green. At this stage, the leaves are thin and there are beautiful patterns and shadows. On long leaf stems, the leaves seem to shimmer in the slightest breeze. The Bo Tree is one of a very few tropical trees that drop leaves annually. It does not have any amount of aerial banyan roots.