04-02-2014, 02:24 AM
Aloha Super8,
I think your idea of using a certain species of Ficus (aka, 'fig') with it's roots as a 'retaining' structure is a GOOD one, but, even as fast as Ficus grow, it may be awhile before you see a true retaining effect. If you look at pictures of the temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the root systems you see are mostly of Ficus species though I'm unsure of which one(s) they may be. They are VERY old and you can see how they have permeated and penetrated just about every nook and cranny available. If you do plant a Ficus, train some or all of the emerging branches towards or even ON the ground to get maximum buttressing and root contact onto/into whatever you use as a skeleton of your retaining system onto which the Ficus will train. Kind of like an espalier but for the intent of getting the Ficus to send down and or sprout air roots which will then subsequently add strength to the skeleton.
To answer your question: YES!! I LOVE Ficus. I grew them in my Nursery in San Diego along with Palms, Coral Trees, LOTS and LOTS of Giant Timber Bamboo, and several succulents including a variety of Cactus, Euphorbia, Aloe, and Pachypodiums, to name just a few ~ ~ ~
MUCH Aloha and Pomaika'i with your system
BTW, if you have any questions about how to build your retaining wall, feel free to get ahold of me. I'm a retired Landscape Architect/Engineer of over 35 years and have designed a few of these systems over those years ~ Aloha ~
Punanny
I think your idea of using a certain species of Ficus (aka, 'fig') with it's roots as a 'retaining' structure is a GOOD one, but, even as fast as Ficus grow, it may be awhile before you see a true retaining effect. If you look at pictures of the temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the root systems you see are mostly of Ficus species though I'm unsure of which one(s) they may be. They are VERY old and you can see how they have permeated and penetrated just about every nook and cranny available. If you do plant a Ficus, train some or all of the emerging branches towards or even ON the ground to get maximum buttressing and root contact onto/into whatever you use as a skeleton of your retaining system onto which the Ficus will train. Kind of like an espalier but for the intent of getting the Ficus to send down and or sprout air roots which will then subsequently add strength to the skeleton.
To answer your question: YES!! I LOVE Ficus. I grew them in my Nursery in San Diego along with Palms, Coral Trees, LOTS and LOTS of Giant Timber Bamboo, and several succulents including a variety of Cactus, Euphorbia, Aloe, and Pachypodiums, to name just a few ~ ~ ~
MUCH Aloha and Pomaika'i with your system
BTW, if you have any questions about how to build your retaining wall, feel free to get ahold of me. I'm a retired Landscape Architect/Engineer of over 35 years and have designed a few of these systems over those years ~ Aloha ~
Punanny
Kaihekili