Ficus dammaropsis

TREE FRIEND DATA SHEET 

1. a)  Average expected life of tree, in years, from sprout to death (approx numbers)

The Ficus dammaropsis can live as long as 200 years.

1. b) Years until trees first fruit (ie some trees fruit within a few years, others can take decades)

Can fruit from year 2 but could take a while longer and fruit in year 6. The fruit is called a synconium, which is a flask-shaped floral cavity contains unisexual flowers.

1. c) Season of year when productive tree fruits (ie Summer, Autumn, Winter Spring or combo ie Su/Au)

The fruits ripen in mid winter through to spring, in Australia this is typically from August to October depending on climate.

1. d) Expected or average number years tree expected to fruit for once it begins. (ie year 8 to 20 = 12 yrs)

It’s known to fruit for a number of decades and if lucky for it’s whole life.

1. e) Country/area of origin

Papua New Guinea

1. f) Average annual rainfall in area of origin

2000 and 5000 mm (79-179 inches) annually

1. g) Latin name of tree and family

Ficus dammaropsis Family: Moraceae

Common Name: Highland Breadfruit, Dinner Plate Fig

1. h) Any other products, benefits, useful or interesting facts about of tree:

ie good shade tree or wind break, good cabinet, building or fire wood, fire resistant, flood or drought  tolerant. For example in Australia we have a challenge with termites that do a lot of damage eating wooden structures, there are certain woods that are naturally white ant resistant that allow a more reliable building without utilising white ant poison like is often done.

• This Fig is related to the Common Fig.
• The fruit is edible and the size of a tennis ball. The outside layer can be eaten raw and the central fruit can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable.
• It has giant leaves can be over 60cm long. The canopy of leaves can provide shade and protection from wind and rain.
• The younger leaves can be eaten as a vegetable when cooked.
• The leaves can also be used to wrap up food.
• The older leaves can get quite tough and can be used as scouring tools.
• The bark fibres can be utilised for making ropes, clothing, tissues, capes, bags, head pieces, handicrafts.
• The wood can be used for fuel and can make a fire with friction. It is known to soft and light in weight. It can be used for the purposes of some light construction, or other purposes such as digging sticks or yam stakes.
• A daily drink of the stem latex is said to relieve a severe cough.
• Can be coppiced

1. i) Height, width and shape of tree at maturity. 

Please find measure for both diameter of trunk and also arbour (the tree foliage)   Note the profile shape is important for later design work, some trees have an overhanging canopy with bare trunk that can be walked around, others have foliage from base to top and in all sorts of patterns and densities.

• It has a spreading, ubbrella shape
• Average 6-8m height x 10m overhanging canopy, although it is possible that it can grow to 20m height.
• Trunk is multi-stemmed from base, trunk diameter ranges from 35-55cm approximately

1. j) challenges or special requirements, such as needing other varieties in order to fruit.

• Cuttings of the tree do not normally establish.
• Require unique form of pollination, from a specialised wasp specie that is also reliant on the Fig specie to survive.

Tips for growing

• Well drained soil that retains some moisture
• Full sun in cooler areas, to afternoon shade in areas with hot summers
• Keep moist through summer
• Fertilise regularly with a liquid seaweed fertiliser

About The Author

About The Author

Matilda Winterbottom

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