Ancient Temple - Ancient Temple Tree

Dear IBC,

On my visit to the ancient temple ruins of Hampi – South India (also referred to in another thread by me called “Clinging to Rock – Inspirations from Nature”), I came across this tree. It is Frangipani or Temple tree as it is commonly known. I am not sure of the sub-species though. Interestingly it is right next to the ancient temple within the temple complex. I am not sure how old the tree as there was no way of figuring it out. Here are a few pics of the tree. The gnarled trunk is a visual treat.

The first one is that of the tree in the temple complex


The second pic is that of the complete tree


The third pic is that of the entire trunk


The last 2 pics are closeups of the trunk



Your thoughts are most welcome

Regards
Ravi

Thanks for showing us this exelent tree. I am moved.

Kind regrds Yvonne

very nice yamadori Ravi! good find.

I hope you won't encounter any trouble digging this yamadori.

I'm with you on this all the way. permits are for amateur diggers only, so don't bother to get one.

regards,
jun

Hi Jun

Let us help Ravi MOVE the tree to a pot.

Kind regards Yvonne

looking back at the pictures again, the temple complex seems to be abandoned a long long time ago... you know what I mean my friend.
...post the photo afterward so we can advice you with the design, probably identify the specie too for you. hehehe.


your evil friend,
jun

Yvonne Graubaek wrote:Hi Jun

Let us help Ravi MOVE the tree to a pot.

Kind regards Yvonne

....my god Yvonne! I thought your an angel. How can you do such thing to a national treasure.


your evil friend,
jun

Always knew that Jun had a sense of humour but the surprise was Yvonne... Good to know that you too have a sense of homour.

An Oh by the way the temple is not as desolate or abandoned as you might think. It is a major tourist attraction and also on the list of World Heritage sites and yes it is well guarded. Should I get caught trying to dig the tree up.... well the security might dig a grave for me and give me a quick burial. Noooooooo Sir I cant afford that one. Who will take care of my Bonsai after that.... and I almost forgot .... who will take care of my wife and daughter..... Nooooo Way...

Ravi

Ravi,

Thanks for posting. It reminds me of the giant plumeria rubra trees in Tanah Lot Temple in Bali, Indonesia. Along with the plumerias there are also giant premna trees.

Thanks for showing,

Jose Luis

Beautiful site with amazing tree. Frangipani here in Florida are usually sticks. This specimen must be old.

The scene reminds me of my mental image of the White Tree of Gondor in the Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

Howzit Ravi,

Mahalo for sharing. Very interesting tree.

A Hui Hou,
-Tim

Plumeria & Frangipani are the same thing. Temple tree is Plumeria rubra. This specimen looks like several trunks fused together.
Iris

Great photos Ravi, a very beautiful and obviously very old tree. Frangipani is commonly grown here as a garden plant, there are qute a few different flower colours available these days. We see quite a few old trees gracing the gardens of the pre and post war homes, but none exhibit the bark texture of the tree you have shown us.

saw many examples of very old, unbelievably gnarled plumeria in Bali and other places in Indonesia. Nurseries along the main highway from the Bali airport had many planted in the ground, propped upright by bamboo poles. We saw a example on a private estate outside of Jakarta, the owner said was sourced from an old temple in Bali. tree age approximately 500 years.

To Rob, Iris, Tim, Markus and Kauai,

Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate them. I am glad to know quiet a few of your have seen this species of trees. This species is very prevalent in South India and I find them all over the place in Bangalore (the city that I live in). Infact there is one in a neighbor's house and the branches of the tree actually touch my bedroom window. Here is a pic that I clicked from my bedroom window of the tree in bloom. The flowers have are very fragrant.



Unfortunately the tree is not suitable for bonsai as the stem doesn't get woody anytime soon and the branches tend to be very thick and cannot be wired or bent into position.

Regards
Ravi

Ravi,

much thanks for shots of the motherland. Looks like a scene from the Last Airbender[ cartoon known as, The Avatar. excellent cartoon !] Frangipani, is as we say down here - kicking dog - translation - so many. However, nothing that old or with such amazing character / personality.

We do have a caterpillar that eats the leaves and very often all you see is naked branches. Flowers are very fragrant and in a few colours.

Hee hee, we have folk who tried to Bonsai it, too few branches to look believable.
Thanks again.
Khaimraj
[ Only just returned to the Internet late yesterday - will reply to your p.m later today.]