Is it possible to grow sycamore in Spain?

The sycamore is a large tree

Image – Wikimedia/Avi1111

When we see a plant that we like, like the sycamore, we usually want to buy it. But in order not to spend money in vain, it is very important to learn about its characteristics and everything you need to grow well.

So, if you are one of those who wonder if it is possible grow a sycamore in Spain, then we are going to talk at length about this topic.

What is the origin of the sycamore?

The sycamore in Spain is delicate

Image - Wikimedia / Batsv

The sycamore, whose scientific name is sycamore figs, It is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree that grows in Africa, specifically in the northeast and in the center of the continent, as well as in northern and southern Arabia.. It is also possible to see it in the north of Madagascar, but it is rarer. It was a tree highly appreciated by the ancient Egyptians, where it was already cultivated around the third millennium BC. C.; in fact, they were eaten both fresh and dried, and were even used to treat digestive problems as they were believed to have medicinal properties.

Our protagonist is a tropical plant that usually lives near rivers or watercourses, almost always in forests where there are other types of plants.

What climate do you prefer?

To better understand what climate the sycamore needs, let's take a look at the climate graph of Namibia, where it grows wild. By doing so, we will immediately realize that not only are the average temperatures high, between 21 and 31ºC, but it also rains a lot during the first months of the year, and somewhat less the rest. This is because, like other countries near the equator, they receive monsoon rains.

The sycamore lives in tropical regions

the sycamore it is not a tree that can thrive in temperate regions, since it will hardly withstand moderate frosts. It could only be if it is planted in an area protected from the wind. As for the cold, it tolerates it because in its natural habitat it can do so at night, but only if the thermometer does not drop below 0º.

What are their characteristics?

The sycamore is a very large tree

Image - Wikimedia / MPF

Now let's talk about the characteristics of the sycamore. This is a large tree that reaches a height of 20 meters and can develop a crown 6-7 meters wide. The roots, like all of its kind (Rubber plant)They are long and very strong.. It is easy for them to exceed 20 meters in length, and even protrude a little from the ground if it is soft.

It is also important to know that its figs are edible. They measure about 3 centimeters in diameter and sprout throughout the year, especially in spring-summer. However, you have to take into account that it is preferable not to put it near paved floors, since when it falls to the ground it gets quite dirty. It can be removed with a hose or mop, but hey, if you don't want to have to, plant it in an area of ​​the garden where there's just dirt.

And by the way, put it away from pipes, walls, and soft pavements. At a minimum, you have to be about ten meters away from them.

Is it possible to have a sycamore in Spain?

The sycamore is a tropical tree

Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT

And finally, let's see if it can be grown in Spain or not. As we said, it is a tropical plant that lives near watercourses, so to have it well, in good condition, we must plant it in a place that meets these conditions:

  • Climate: warm and frost-free. Also, it should rain frequently for at least three months a year, and a little less the rest.
  • Land: fertile, that is, rich in nutrients, and well drained.
  • Sun / shade: it is a tree that must be in a sunny place.

But beware, despite what it may seem, it is not an excessively demanding tree. Of course, if there are significant frosts in your area, you will have to protect it with an anti-frost fabric, in a heated greenhouse or indoors, but you can also you can create a suitable microclimate for your plant in the garden. How do you do that?

Well, for example planting evergreen and tall hedges to serve as windbreaks. Believe it or not, sometimes more than the frost itself, what causes the most damage to delicate plants is the cold air. I myself have a tropical bromeliad Aechmea fasciata planted in the ground in Mallorca since 2019 and being very protected, it survives winters without problems, and we have had frosts of up to -2ºC.

For this reason, I insist, it is best to grow the sycamore in a place where the climate is warm throughout the year, but if it is the case that in your area there are soft and punctual frosts, do not hesitate to plant it in the ground if you have space for it (and if not, you can always prune it in late winter or spring and have it as a small tree) and protect it from the wind.

I hope this article about the sycamore has been useful to you. If you have been wanting to know more about this tree, click here:

sycamore figs
Related article:
Sycamore (Ficus sycomoro)

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