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Ficus sycomorus

Egyptian sycamore

A large, subtropical evergreen tree, over 20m high in its native range, with widely spreading branches and oval to elliptic, papery or slightly leathery leaves to 20cm long, with unevenly toothed edges. Small, round figs are produced in the leaf axils and on short stems directly from the trunk, beginning green and ripening to orange-red, with several crops produced over the year

Other common names
mulberry fig
Pharaoh's fig
see moresycamore fig
sycamore of the Bible
sycomore fig
sycomore tree
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green Orange Red
Summer Green Green Orange Red
Autumn Green Green Orange Red
Winter Green Green Orange Red
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Moraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with often leathery, simple, entire or lobed leaves and tiny flowers borne within a hollow receptacle which enlarges to form the fruit

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile soil, in its native range it is found in savannahs and along the edges of rivers and streams

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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