balete tree

File:Balete from Forest of the Philippines plate8 part2.jpg

File:Balete Tree.jpg in southern Luzon, Philippines]]

The balete tree (also known as balite or baliti) are several species of trees in the Philippines from the genus Ficus, which are generally referred to as balete in Filipino.

A number of these are strangler figs, as they germinate upon other trees, before entrapping their host tree entirely and eventually killing it. Consequently the young plants are hemiepiphytes, i.e. epiphytes or air plants that grow several hanging roots which eventually touch the ground and take root. Some baletes produce natural rubber of an inferior quality. The Indian rubber tree, F. elastica, was formerly cultivated to some extent for rubber. Some of the species like tangisang-bayawak or Ficus variegata are large and could probably be utilized for match wood. The wood of Ficus species are soft, light, and of inferior quality, and the trees usually have ill-formed, short boles.Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2"], p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. {{PD-notice}}

List of species which shares the common name of Balete

Ficus microcarpa
F. arayatensis Warb.Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ "The Forests of Mindoro"], p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908.
F. balete Merr.
F. benjamina Linn.Bureau of Insular Affairs. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands"]. p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908.[http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf "Ficus benjamina Linn."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812201149/http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf |date=August 12, 2011 }}. Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. benjamina Linn. var. nuda Miq.(2011-02-08). [http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/3769 "Balete (Ficus benjamina var. nuda)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218195459/http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/3769 |date=February 18, 2011 }}. The Indi Journal. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.[http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_benjamina_nuda_6314_w.pdf "Ficus benjamina (Linn.) var. nuda (Miq.)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309050143/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_benjamina_nuda_6314_w.pdf |date=March 9, 2012 }}. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. clusioides Miq.
F. concinna Miq.Bonsai King (December 14, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225838/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:balete-ficus-concina&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168 "Balete-Ficus concina"]. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242322156 "Ficus concinna (Miquel)"]. Flora of China. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. elastica Roxb.Stuart, Godofredo. [http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html "Balete"]. Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.
F. forstenii Miq.Botany Department (2003-02). [http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_forstenii_w.pdf "Ficus forstenii"]{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 24, 2011.
F. indica Linn.[http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/baleting-baging.pdf "Baleting-baging"]. Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. parvifolia Miq.
F. payapa Blanco[http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/p/payapa.htm "Ficus Payapa"]. Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry.Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. philipinenses Miq.Bonsai King (February 19, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225818/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:balete-ficus-philipinenses&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168 "Balete-Ficus philipinenses]. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
F. retusa Linn.[http://www.stuartxchange.com/Marabutan.html "Marabutan"]. Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.[http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/m/marabutan.htm "Marabutan"]. Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
F. stipulosa Miq. Linn.[http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/balete.htm "Balete – Scientific name: Ficus stipulosa Miq. Linn."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211181228/http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/balete.htm |date=February 11, 2020 }}. Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.
F. variegata Blume

Ornamental use

Baletes are planted as graceful trees along avenues in Manila and other large cities in the Philippines, and they are also excellent as shade trees. Several species of the tree are also use for bonsai making in the country.Bonsai King (February 4, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110919045750/http://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:a-bonsai-database&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168 "Bonsai Database"]. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.[http://www.bonsaishoponline.com/bia/country/philippines/bonsai-in-the-philippines.shtml "Bonsai in the Philippines"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911004906/http://www.bonsaishoponline.com/bia/country/philippines/bonsai-in-the-philippines.shtml |date=September 11, 2011 }}. Bonsai in Asia Guidebook. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.

Baletes are used as houseplants;{{Cite web |url=http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus.htm |title=Ficus Plants—How to Grow Healthy Ficus Trees |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829172834/http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus.htm |url-status=dead }} however, it is a source of indoor household allergens which may cause respiratory allergy.

Philippine folklore

File:7975Balete Drive Quezon City Landmarks 05.jpg, allegedly one of the most haunted places of Quezon city, Philippines]]

In some areas of the country, some people believe that balete trees are dwelling places for supernatural beings (engkanto) like diwata, kapre or tikbalang. In some places, sorcery rituals are known performed inside the chambers formed by the tree.Brillantes, RC (February 5, 2009). [http://thegreencloud.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/the-mysterious-balete-tree/ "The Mysterious Balete Tree"]. the green cloud. Retrieved on 2011-04-27. Also among others, some superstitious folks suggest not bringing in balete as decorative plants inside a house as they allegedly invite ghosts.

Balete Drive in New Manila, Quezon City, named after a enormous balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the city. The tale of a white lady appears at night hailing cars that drive by has been circulated since the 1950s.[http://www.philippinesinsider.com/myths-folklore-superstition/myths-surrounding-balete-drive/ "Myths Surrounding Balete Drive"]. Philippine Insider. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.

Extreme examples

The balete tree inside the OISCA Farm in Lumapao, Canlaon, Negros Oriental, is estimated by botanists from Silliman University to be around 1,328 years old. It would take at least 42 men to encircle its trunk. At the heart of this wide tree trunk is a cavity where lizards, bats and many insects have made it their home. With fireflies lighting it at night like a year-round Christmas tree, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.Austria, Kelly (December 7, 2010). [http://kellyaustria.blogspot.com/2010/12/big-tree.html "The Big Tree of Canlaon City"]. Follow My Trail. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.
A balete tree called "Millennium Tree" in Barangay Quirino, Maria Aurora, Aurora province is claimed to be the largest of its kind in Asia. It is estimated to be about more than 600 years old and {{convert|60|m|ft}} tall with its roots about {{convert|10|m|ft}} to {{convert|15|m|ft}} in diameter. It is possible for adult people to squeeze into the center of its root network.Gorospe, Marjorie (April 18, 2011). [http://ph.news.yahoo.com/centuries-old-balete-tree-attracts-tourists-aurora-town-20110418-215005-158.html "Centuries-old balete tree attracts tourists in Aurora town"]. Yahoo News Philippines. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.
A 400-year-old balete tree in Barangay Campalanas in the Lazi, Siquijor is believed to be the oldest and the biggest in the province. The tree is noted for the spring that emanates from its base and flows straight into a man-made pool.Administrator. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101030233626/http://siquijortour.com/blog/tourist-spots/the-old-enchanted-balete-tree-in-siquijor/ "The Old Enchanted Tree in Siquijor"]}}. Siquijor Tour. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.

Gallery

File:FvfCordonIsabela3349 33.JPG|A balete tree in Cordon, Isabela, Philippines

File:Millennium tree of Balete Park, Maria Aurora, Philippinesjf.jpg|The “Millennium Tree” at Balete Park in Brgy. Quirino in Maria Aurora, Aurora province, Philippines.[http://www.aurora.ph/tourist-beaches.html#balete "Sightseeing - Nature Areas and Beaches"]. Discover Aurora. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.

File:FvfBustosBulacan0380 25.JPG|A balete in Bustos, Bulacan, Philippines.

File:Enchanted Balete Tree in Lazi.JPG|The 400-year-old balete tree of Barangay Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor province, Philippines