Which one? I hear you ask.

Well, actually this IS one tree.

Let me take you back a few years, 

to the tree at an earlier point in its life….

See the tendrils hanging from the branches?

Well, they are what is called aerial roots, and when they touch the earth, they burrow down into the ground and take root – literally.

Over time, they get thicker and stronger; they team up with other wiry aerial roots, until after much time they become a trunk themselves.

And that, my friends is how a banyan tree grows. 

This one is in Lahaina, Maui, 

which was once the capital city of the islands. 

Here is the Mother trunk, the core of the tree.

Here you see how it stretches outwards and upwards.

A few good people of Lahaina decided to create a shady park 

in the town centre, a shelter from the searing Pacific sun. 

So they trained the huge branches to grow horizontally.

In places, they added struts and supports.

They constantly cut back the aerial roots, 

to stop them taking root, if you like. 

They introduced walkways and benches,

and what they have created is absolutely unbelievable.

Until you sit underneath it and actually take it in, you cannot imagine that this woodland park is actually just 

ONE TREE.

Magnificent.

We were having a bit to eat in the Pioneer’s Inn, next door, 

another little jewel of a place.

Spot the banyan tree to the right.

Yep. ONE TREE.

We got talking to the waiter, and he told us this little story.

I don’t remember the details, but I remember this:

An Englishman started the Pioneer Inn back in 1901

The banyan tree next door was already well underway.

He had several children, and left a huge legacy in Maui,

but one of his son’s lost his way in life, as is often the case,

and, sadly, became the local drunk.

Guess where he took up residence.

Yep. He lived under the tree for many, many years.

Until he died, in fact. 

The town even set a mailbox up for him under the tree!

How’s that for compassion?

On that note, I shall bid you bye bye.

Until tomorrow.

ALOHA 

xxxx