Ficus trees are evergreen or deciduous trees grown by gardeners for foliage, shade and decoration.
However, their beauty “hides a sinister truth”, something that has led to many areas banning them.
How these ‘attractive’ garden trees hide a ‘sinister truth’ you should be aware of
According to Andrew Boast, property expert at SAM Conveyancing, ficus trees “might look harmless, even decorative, but they cause significant and expensive damage to property if planted too close to a home”.
He added that the main issues lie with ficus roots, which are said to be “incredibly aggressive and invasive” when looking for moisture and space.
He said: “This makes them particularly risky around foundations, drainage systems, driveways, and other underground infrastructure.
“Ficus roots can worm their way into cracked pipes, blocking or even bursting them, which then leads to water leaks beneath the home, a classic precursor to subsidence, and unlike a simple blocked gutter, these issues are hidden underground and often go unnoticed until cracks start appearing in walls or floors start to dip.
“They also thrive in urban areas because they’re tough and fast-growing, which makes them a poor match for many of the UK’s older homes, especially those with shallow or damaged foundations or houses built on clay-heavy soil, where ground movement is already a risk.
“Once ficus roots establish themselves, they can dry out the soil significantly, especially during long, dry summers, and as the soil shrinks, the foundations above can shift or sink, triggering subsidence.”
Highlighting a solution to this, Andrew said that a root barrier could act as a shield between the roots and your property.
Dean Meadows, Principal Arboriculturist and Tree Risk Management Lead at Arbtech, adds that while most ficus trees don’t typically grow in the UK because of our climate, there are a few exceptions.
He says: “There can be some exceptions, though, like ficus carica, which can grow outdoors in the UK and does have vigorous roots. But even then, these are still far less destructive than tropical ficus.
“If growing ficus carica, then it is best to avoid planting next to a wall or patio, as its roots can disturb paving or compete with foundations over time.”
Highlighting the danger of these garden trees, Homes and Gardens said their “beauty hides a sinister truth” for homeowners.
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How to identify a ficus tree
According to Britannica, ficus trees can be identified through their “usually simple and waxy” leaves.
Most of these trees also exude white or yellow latex when broken.
The unusual fruit structure, known as a syconium, is hollow, enclosing an inflorescence with tiny male and female flowers lining the inside.
Many species have aerial roots, meaning these can grow above the ground.
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