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Balete tree
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<h2 id="list-of-species-which-shares-the-common-name-of-balete">List of species which shares the common name of Balete</h2> <ul><li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_microcarpa/rV3pEAPy">Ficus microcarpa</a></i></li> <li><i>F. arayatensis Warb.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. balete Merr.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_benjamina/aEMaopQ7">F. benjamina Linn.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_benjamina/aEMaopQ7">F. benjamina Linn. var. nuda Miq.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. clusioides Miq.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. concinna Miq.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_elastica/g6RnqoMv">F. elastica Roxb.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. forstenii Miq.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_indica/3unsmtP2">F. indica Linn.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_parvifolia/aEMaopQ7">F. parvifolia Miq.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. payapa Blanco</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. philipinenses Miq.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_retusa/sYz8xmLW">F. retusa Linn.</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></li> <li><i>F. stipulosa Miq. Linn.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Ficus_variegata_(plant)/YASTNgAT">F. variegata Blume</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a></li></ul> <h2 id="ornamental-use">Ornamental use</h2> <p>Baletes are planted as graceful trees along avenues in <a href="/facts/Manila/1jLySodG">Manila</a> and other large cities in the Philippines, and they are also excellent as shade trees.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> Several species of the tree are also use for <a href="/facts/Bonsai/g4wLe7ak">bonsai</a> making in the country.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> </p><p>Baletes are used as houseplants;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> however, it is a source of indoor household allergens which may cause respiratory allergy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="philippine-folklore">Philippine folklore</h2> <p>In some areas of the country, some people believe that balete trees are dwelling places for supernatural beings (<i><a href="/facts/Engkanto/XJ67440S">engkanto</a></i>) like <i><a href="/facts/Anito/VKpAEcmj">diwata</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Kapre/sk4Xj0e8">kapre</a></i> or <i><a href="/facts/Tikbalang/Ewfudf4q">tikbalang</a></i>. In some places, sorcery rituals are known performed inside the chambers formed by the tree.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> Also among others, some superstitious folks suggest not bringing in balete as decorative plants inside a house as they allegedly invite ghosts.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> </p><p><a href="/facts/Balete_Drive/QtaS3pJj">Balete Drive</a> in New Manila, <a href="/facts/Quezon_City/YWBLFVWj">Quezon City</a>, named after a enormous balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street, is allegedly one of the most <a href="/facts/List_of_haunted_locations_in_the_Philippines/CQ7c4lcf">haunted places in the city</a>. The tale of a <a href="/facts/White_Lady_(ghost)/VLQQRzAF">white lady</a> appears at night hailing cars that drive by has been circulated since the 1950s.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="extreme-examples">Extreme examples</h2> <ul><li>The balete tree inside the OISCA Farm in Lumapao, <a href="/facts/Canlaon/vsNcBPQc">Canlaon</a>, <a href="/facts/Negros_Oriental/vUxrlzRg">Negros Oriental</a>, is estimated by <a href="/facts/Botanist/PaIRoxnb">botanists</a> from <a href="/facts/Silliman_University/l7hDqaN8">Silliman University</a> to be around 1,328 years old. It would take at least 42 men to encircle its trunk. At the heart of this wide tree trunk is a cavity where lizards, bats and many insects have made it their home. With <a href="/facts/Firefly/wyRUbc1w">fireflies</a> lighting it at night like a year-round <a href="/facts/Christmas_tree/855tbXu6">Christmas tree</a>, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a></li> <li>A balete tree called "Millennium Tree" in <a href="/facts/Barangay/TJ60z5zY">Barangay</a> Quirino, <a href="/facts/Maria_Aurora,_Aurora/3TNHqgE4">Maria Aurora</a>, <a href="/facts/Aurora_Province/U2xseaKr">Aurora</a> province is claimed to be the largest of its kind in Asia. It is estimated to be about more than 600 years old and 60 metres (200 ft) tall with its roots about 10 metres (33 ft) to 15 metres (49 ft) in diameter. It is possible for adult people to squeeze into the center of its root network.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a></li> <li>A 400-year-old balete tree in Barangay Campalanas in the <a href="/facts/Lazi,_Siquijor/L6twogAb">Lazi</a>, <a href="/facts/Siquijor/qnz1mDwI">Siquijor</a> is believed to be the oldest and the biggest in the province. The tree is noted for the <a href="/facts/Spring_(hydrosphere)/blPBY4VG">spring</a> that emanates from its base and flows straight into a man-made pool.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34"><sup>34</sup></a></li></ul> <h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Bodhi_tree/M3KdTS8D">Bodhi tree</a>, 2500 years ago Buddha attained enlightenment under this tree</li> <li><a href="/facts/Kodama_(spirit)/cKlUReNH">Kodama</a>, spirits in Japanese folklore</li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_banyan_trees_in_India/r0CGyjHS">Largest banyan trees</a>, Balete trees</li> <li><a href="/facts/Peepal_tree/NHhb4l26">Peepal tree</a>, Ficus religiosa</li> <li><a href="/facts/Sacred_tree/gDNDXDvS">Sacred tree</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tree_spirit/90CNaDWt">Tree spirit</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Yorishiro/UC8b0dAF">Yorishiro</a>, spirits-attracting object</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balete tree. <ul><li><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ">"The Forests of the Philippines"</a> by the Philippine Bureau of Forestry from Google Books.</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2", p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of Mindoro", p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of Mindoro", p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Ficus benjamina Linn." Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf" target="_blank">http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>(2011-02-08). "Balete (Ficus benjamina var. nuda)" Archived February 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. The Indi Journal. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/3769" target="_blank">http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/3769</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Ficus benjamina (Linn.) var. nuda (Miq.)" Archived March 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_benjamina_nuda_6314_w.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_benjamina_nuda_6314_w.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Bonsai King (December 14, 2009). "Balete-Ficus concina". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225838/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:balete-ficus-concina&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225838/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:balete-ficus-concina&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Ficus concinna (Miquel)". Flora of China. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242322156" target="_blank">http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242322156</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2", p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Stuart, Godofredo. "Balete". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011. <a href="http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html" target="_blank">http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of Mindoro", p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=vCkDAAAAYAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Botany Department (2003-02). "Ficus forstenii"[permanent dead link]. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 24, 2011. <a href="http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_forstenii_w.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Mor_Ficus_forstenii_w.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Baleting-baging". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/baleting-baging.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/baleting-baging.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4xAQAAIAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Ficus Payapa". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry.Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/p/payapa.htm" target="_blank">http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/p/payapa.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Bonsai King (February 19, 2010). "Balete-Ficus philipinenses. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225818/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:balete-ficus-philipinenses&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225818/https://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:balete-ficus-philipinenses&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Marabutan". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.stuartxchange.com/Marabutan.html" target="_blank">http://www.stuartxchange.com/Marabutan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"Marabutan". Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/m/marabutan.htm" target="_blank">http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/m/marabutan.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"Balete – Scientific name: Ficus stipulosa Miq. Linn." Archived February 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. Retrieved on April 25, 2011. <a href="http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/balete.htm" target="_blank">http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/balete.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2", p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=lLcQAQAAMAAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"Ficus benjamina Linn." Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf" target="_blank">http://bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/b/balete.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Bonsai King (February 4, 2010). "Bonsai Database". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110919045750/http://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:a-bonsai-database&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110919045750/http://www.bonsaikingdom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:a-bonsai-database&catid=44:bonsai-database&Itemid=168</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Bonsai in the Philippines" Archived September 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Bonsai in Asia Guidebook. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.bonsaishoponline.com/bia/country/philippines/bonsai-in-the-philippines.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.bonsaishoponline.com/bia/country/philippines/bonsai-in-the-philippines.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>"Ficus Plants—How to Grow Healthy Ficus Trees". Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2012. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160829172834/http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20160829172834/http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Stuart, Godofredo. "Balete". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011. <a href="http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html" target="_blank">http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Brillantes, RC (February 5, 2009). "The Mysterious Balete Tree". the green cloud. Retrieved on 2011-04-27. <a href="http://thegreencloud.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/the-mysterious-balete-tree/" target="_blank">http://thegreencloud.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/the-mysterious-balete-tree/</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>Stuart, Godofredo. "Balete". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011. <a href="http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html" target="_blank">http://stuartxchange.com/Balete.html</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>"Myths Surrounding Balete Drive". Philippine Insider. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://www.philippinesinsider.com/myths-folklore-superstition/myths-surrounding-balete-drive/" target="_blank">http://www.philippinesinsider.com/myths-folklore-superstition/myths-surrounding-balete-drive/</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>Austria, Kelly (December 7, 2010). "The Big Tree of Canlaon City". Follow My Trail. Retrieved on 2011-04-25. <a href="http://kellyaustria.blogspot.com/2010/12/big-tree.html" target="_blank">http://kellyaustria.blogspot.com/2010/12/big-tree.html</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>Gorospe, Marjorie (April 18, 2011). "Centuries-old balete tree attracts tourists in Aurora town". Yahoo News Philippines. Retrieved on 2011-04-25. <a href="http://ph.news.yahoo.com/centuries-old-balete-tree-attracts-tourists-aurora-town-20110418-215005-158.html" target="_blank">http://ph.news.yahoo.com/centuries-old-balete-tree-attracts-tourists-aurora-town-20110418-215005-158.html</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:34"><p>Administrator. "The Old Enchanted Tree in Siquijor". Siquijor Tour. Retrieved on April 27, 2011. <a href="http://siquijortour.com/blog/tourist-spots/the-old-enchanted-balete-tree-in-siquijor/" target="_blank">http://siquijortour.com/blog/tourist-spots/the-old-enchanted-balete-tree-in-siquijor/</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>