What is an Indian laurel tree?
More commonly known today as the Indian laurel or Indian fig, the tree is a member of the fig family. Its fruit has sustained more species of animal life than any other going back to prehistoric days. It was one of the first plants to be domesticated thousands of years ago.
What is the growth rate of Indian laurel fig?
Growth Rate Explained. The growth rate of the Indian laurel fig is most often reported as moderate, meaning from 12 to 24 inches a year, and sometimes as fast, meaning 24 or more inches a year. Under most conditions it will likely grow at a moderate rate, but if you grow it in a climate that it likes and with room for its roots to spread,...
How tall does a laurel hedge grow?
There are Laurel hedging plants that stay small or grow up to 20ft (7m); Laurels with dark green, bright green or variegated leaves; Laurel with large leaves and Laurel with small leaves. Laurel is best pruned once a year to keep it to the height you want. To see how and when to trim your hedge, see our section on How to Prune a Laurel Hedge.
Is the Indian laurel tree a threat to buildings?
The massive canopy of the Indian laurel or fig tree makes it ideal for shading sunny boulevards and walkways. However, it is considered a threat to buildings in many of its U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12, especially those of historic importance with weak structural components.
How fast do Indian Laurel trees grow?
With a growth rate of 24 inches per year, the Indian laurel has intense watering needs when it's newly planted. However, once the tree has established itself, watering can be eliminated as they are drought-tolerant. Whenever it rains is good enough for the Indian laurel tree.
Are Indian Laurel trees messy?
Indian laurels can break sidewalks and burrow under foundations, spreading beyond their big crowns and growing out from the trunk along the soil's surface. Indian laurels flower and produce small, green fruit in spring, so they make messy neighbors as well.
How wide do Indian Laurel columns grow?
Height (at Maturity): 15-25 ft. Width (at Maturity): 15-25 ft.
Is Indian Laurel poisonous?
Their leaves contain a sap that can be very irritating to dogs, either on the skin or when ingested. Ficus poisoning can happen when they eat any part of the ficus plant.
Do Indian laurels have invasive roots?
Although once a popular ornamental, Indian laurel fig is now considered highly invasive in Florida and Hawaii. The tree's fast growth rate, invasive root system and ability to reseed make it an undesirable landscape addition in many locations.
How much water do Indian laurels need?
The Ficus nitida (Indian Laurel) trees are extremely hardy trees. These trees prefer to be deep soaked all around the root ball. You want to soak the tree to a depth of at least 2-3' each time you water. This will encourage deep strong root growth.
How far apart do you plant Indian laurel?
Laurel Hedging says that laurel needs to be planted about 2 to 3 feet apart. For the quickest hedge formation, stick closer to 2 feet. Laurel grows quickly, and it is actually the fastest-growing evergreen hedge that is not categorized as a conifer (having needlelike or scaly leaves and cones).
Are Indian Laurel poisonous to dogs?
If your pet has eaten any part of a laurel shrub, contact your veterinarian immediately. The flowering shrub laurel contains a powerful neurotoxin called grayanotoxin which can disturb the proper function of the body's cell membranes. Laurel poisoning should be treated as an emergency. Protect yourself and your pet.
Are Indian laurels evergreen?
Ficus are probably the most popular privacy hedge used in Los Angeles and Southern California. They're fast-growing, upright, and evergreen. This means they are green all year round.
Do laurel roots cause damage?
Will the roots of a laurel hedge cause damage to my house? In general, most types of laurel do not grow large enough to cause a major problems to buildings. Roots grow in proportion to the amount of leaves they have to support so the larger you let your hedge grow, the bigger the root system it will produce.
Is laurel poisonous to dogs?
Almost all species of Laurel hedge are poisonous to dogs, with the exception of Bay Laurel. If you share your home with a dog, it is recommended that you either choose Bay or an alternative species to prevent your pet from coming to any harm by ingesting any fallen leaves, berries etc.
Does Indian laurel have berries?
Its fruits are small (1/3-inch diameter) round figs - which are green when young and turn to a dark brown with age. While not eaten by humans, these fruits are eagerly consumed and widely distributed by birds. It is well adapted to urban areas, because of its tolerance to water and air pollutants.
How big do laurel plants grow?
There are Laurel hedging plants that stay small or grow up to 20ft (7m); Laurels with dark green, bright green or variegated leaves; Laurel with large leaves and Laurel with small leaves.
How often should I prune Laurel?
Cut down noise. Reduce air pollution from traffic. Provide a barrier to stop people entering your garden. Provide food and shelter for wildlife. Laurel is best pruned once a year to keep it to the height you want.
How often should I trim a laurel hedge?
Laurel is best pruned once a year to keep it to the height you want. To see how and when to trim your hedge, see our section on How to Prune a Laurel Hedge.
Can laurel be planted in full sun?
Laurel will grow in most soils in full sun or heavy shade, in fact you quite often see it planted under tree canopies in National Trust and other estates and kept trimmed to a low height to keep down the brambles and bracken.
Is a laurel a good hedge?
The Benefits of Laurel Hedging. Laurel is quick-growing and evergreen. If you don’t want a conifer hedge, then Laurel is the next quickest growing evergreen shrub that will form a good garden hedge. Laurel can be trimmed or pruned to the height you require and, if it grows too big, it can be cut back as hard as you like – right back to ...
