Ficus altissima Seeds | Council Tree
LATIN NAME: Ficus altissima
COMMON NAME: Council Tree
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Council Tree, Ficus altissima is a tree in the mulberry family. It likes sun or part shade, and deep, moist, well-drained soil. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the mulberry family, Ficus altissima is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. In mulberry family, fig trees have a long, grand record in studies of tropical forest trees, and altissima species appears in research on buttressed trunk and fruit biology. Raising it from seed today is a matter of ordinary good practice rather than specialist skill.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Council Tree earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In warm garden and avenue, council tree buttresses trunk and shades the court. Glossy, evergreen crown casts deep, cool shade, fig-like fruits feed birds, and wood serves light wares. It thrives in deep, moist, well-drained ground. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Figs are ancient functional food: fiber-rich, gently laxative through their ficin enzyme and mucilage, and the latex was a traditional wart remedy. Fig leaves and bark appear widely in folk medicine across the Mediterranean and Asia.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Council Tree, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray partial shade. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
It is a solid representative of the Ficus group, true to type from seed. Given partial shade and free drainage, it asks for little routine attention.
Related Reading
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