Summary
Living root bridgesare a marvel . Using theroots of a living treeto create an intricately woven bridge deck to walk across is both a acquisition and an art . TheNational Public Radioshowcases some amazingroot bridgesthat were create from the rubberlike roots officus treesin India . It can take up to 50 long time to make these massive bridges by coaxing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree root to mature acrosswaterways , river and streams . Although the ones in India are very impressive — and you may not have a rubber ficus tree at home — it ’s possible for you to make your ownroot bridgein your own backyard with the plant you have available .
Discover threeamazing ideasfor make a living bridge circuit in your own backyard .
Learn From the Masters
How are root bridges made in the country that uses them daily
How Long Does it Take to Make a Living Root Bridge ?
How Are Root Bridges Made ?
How Long Do settle down Bridges Last ?
Image credits:SurabhiArtss via Shutterstock
Theseroot bridgesaverage 10 to 20 class to build — although some take upwards of 50 year .
These living bridge are made by guiding the flexible roots of aFicus elastica(rubber tree diagram ) through the hollowed out trunk of a aboriginal shrub known as the betel nut .
Some of the living nosepiece have been around for over 500 year . The majority of theseroot bridgeswill last 100 .
Image credits:solarisgirl via Flickr
If you require to add aDIY garden bridgeto your backyard , it make sense to first wait at how the professionals do it . India is one of the wettest countries in the man , and it ’s dilute with rivers , streams , and duncical forests that make it unmanageable to build up roadway and New bridge . Out of necessity , the Khasi people develop the estimation of using the living roots of the safety tree to make bridges that sweep these difficultspans of water .
The process takes fourth dimension , and dedication , as well as an artful eye and deep connection and understanding of the natural world . By using the flexible , youthful etymon of the rubber tree diagram , these bridge constructor conduct the root through hollowed out betel nut body . In hunting of water system , the rubber tree diagram root will continue to grow as one guiding bezel ballock trunk is replaced by another until the roots have reach the other side of the water . Once this happen , the solution are allowed to dig into the soil , becoming heavy and stronger as they absorb water .
Pick The Right Tree
Plant the perfect tree for garden bridge ideas
If you ’re wondering , " How are theme bridges made ? , " there ’s one key opus of information you need to know . Picking the right tree makes the difference between successful garden bridge idea , and ones that just wo n’t turn . The right tree for populate root bridge deck is one that has aerial roots . concord to theUniversity of Florida , airy stem are found on tree and plants that grow outwards , in a spread out way , as opposed to growing completely perpendicular . You may have seen some houseplant that have aerial source .
As the branch of the tree grow larger , they send roots from the limb down into the soil for anchor the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . This allows unfold trees to withstand hard wind and rain without losing their grip on the soil , or falling over . It ’s these aery root that you expend to mould your support bridge . Not all tree are created equally and there are a few that make better root bridge circuit than others .
Tree
Image credits:Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr
Growing Zone
Mature Size
Ficus bengalensis(Banyan tree )
Image credits:laredawg via Flickr
Grow the Banyan tree in USDA zones 10 and 11 .
Ficus bengalensisgrows to a ripe size of over 100 foot grandiloquent and broad .
Ficus microcarpa(Chinese banyan )
Image credits:Jerry Norbury via Flickr
The Chinese baynon grows in USDA zones 9a through 11b .
Ficus microcarpagrows to a mature size of 40 foot high and wide .
Ficus elastica(Rubber Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree )
Image credits:Andriy Blokhin via Shutterstock
Grow the caoutchouc tree in USDA zones 10b to 11 .
Ficus elasticagrows to a ripe size of it of 35 to 45 feet high-pitched and wide .
1Build a Wooden Bridge First
Start with a solid wooden support that allows roots to grow over it
If you want to total aDIY garden bridge to your outdoor landscaping , consider using an existing wooden bridge — or build a fresh one — to add support . This allows you to safely walk across your finished bridge because you cognise thewooden supportlies to a lower place . Using a wooded bridgework for support also takes the stead of the bezel nut trunks used in traditionalliving root word bridge .
Instead of wheedle the roots of your plant life through a hollowed out tree trunk , you’re able to lay them across the groundwork of the bridge , wind them through wooden slat , or permit them to climb along the sides of your bridge deck .
Will using Mrs. Henry Wood affecthow long your tooth root Harry Bridges last ? Yes , if the tooth root of the tree diagram you use are n’t uncompromising enough when the wood underneath begins to collapse , yourroot bridgemay fall in as well . But if your rootage have taken wait , you ’ll be left with a unique living nosepiece with no supports in deal !
2Grow a Decorative Root Bridge
Keep your root bridge on a decorative, small scale
One of the troubles withroot bridgesis that they ’re created from trees that can pass on C of feet high and wide — discover place for trees of this size of it is a challenge .
How are theme bridges made if you do n’t have elbow room for a monolithic tree diagram in your yard ? rather of adding genus Ficus Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to your outdoor landscaping , consider usingthe artistic creation of bonsaito create miniature living bridge from the roots of bonsai ficus trees .
Bonsai Tree Pot
Pruning Your Bonsai Tree
Shaping a Bonsai Tree
Choose shallow , earthenware container with a deepness adequate to the heaviness of your bonsai Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunk and a length half the height of your tree — this keeps the tree solution contained and prevents the tree from growing too big .
Careful pruning keep the outgrowth of your bonsai in balk . In the fall , prune the main stem and pinch back new shoot in the spring , so there ’s only one or two leaf per shoot .
utilize aluminium wire in winter to shape your bonsai tree branches in the direction you want them to grow . Remove the wire after a few month to prevent them from drudge into the branches .
Any tree can be deform into a bonsai since the seeds that regular - sized trees maturate from are selfsame to bonsai trees . Thekeys to bonsaiare loyalty , patience , and careful management of your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . These are the same accomplishment that are required by the born bridge builders in India to make their ficus root bridges . In fact , there ’s a fate of similarities between the artwork of bonsai , and the creation of inhabit bridges .
3Use Vines to Create a Living Bridge
You don’t need tree roots to create a lush plant bridge
Roots are n’t the only plant part that can raise to make a experience bridge . If you ’re hunt forgarden bridge deck melodic theme for your outdoor landscaping , try on usingvining plantsalongside supports to make living bridges . In the Iya Valley in Japan , there ’s a suspension bridge made from actinidia arguta vines . When compare to how farseeing theme bridges last , the vine bridges in the Iya Valley need to be completely rebuilt every three year .
In your backyard , repeated vinescan be used to create the appearance of a living bridge deck by covering the exterior of a support body structure .
Growing your ownroot bridgewithout monumental genus Ficus tree and handy betel pepper orchis trunks available is a challenge that can be overcome with a little creativity . Take a face at the option you have uncommitted in your grow zone , and pick aliving root bridgeproject that suit youroutdoor landscapingneeds . Get creative and begin farm !
