Several years ago, I was lucky to study at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan. Of the many things I saw and expirenced, the wonderful trees that bordered the open student "mall" area, always stick in my mind. At the time I was told they were Phoenix trees. I have done lots of web searching, and just cannot seem to find any Phoenix trees as large as these. Did I misunderstand the type of tree or are these just extremly large Phoenix trees? In the first picture, I am standing quite a ways away, as you can see by the tiny people under the tree.
Quote Planted in 1923 by Prince Hirohito (later Emperor OF Japan ) during his visit to Taiwan , the giant banyan tree is an important landmark of the university. Taken from here... http://museum-en.ncku.edu.tw/files/11-1047-3037.php
Sorry Eric, to detour this thread a bit, but a stand alone comment won't work. Having said that.... This is what I love about this forum. Student from Illinois, US takes a picture of a tree in Taiwan and asks for an ID. General catagory given by a man in Vanouver, CA. Species suggested by a woman in Wales, UK. Seconded by a man in Austin, TX. And "The Rest of the Story" comes again from Wales, UK. Where else? ;))) barb
Wow, what great help all of you have been! Once I was able to hit on the correct name, I found tons of links!
Great pun Ron. I wish these would grown in Southern Illinois. We had a huge storm in May that knocked down 40+ trees in our yard. One Banyan might just fill the void, haha.
