The Balete tree, a member of the Ficus genus, commonly known as fig trees, is indigenous to the Philippines.

These trees are renowned for their expansive, sprawling roots and branches, which contribute to their distinct and enchanting presence.

Balete trees, also known as banyan trees, typically exhibit parasitic tendencies and are sometimes called “strangler figs” due to their growth pattern.

Banyans grow something called ‘accessory trunks.’ Essentially, roots grow towards the ground from the branches, and upon contacting the ground eventually turn into additional trunks. In this way, they slowly envelop nearby healthy trees, eventually causing the host to perish.

In a banyan that envelops its host tree, the mesh of roots growing around the latter eventually applies considerable pressure to and commonly kills it. Such an enveloped, dead tree eventually decomposes, so that the banyan becomes a “columnar tree” with a hollow, central core.