The Fig Tree

In common with the olive tree and the Yew Tree, the fig tree can not only live for many centuries, but has a place in the cultures of diverse civilizations. In all three cases, the tree or individual trees are sacred to groups of people and they are also prized for the healing powers of their products.
Fig trees may also hold the secret to how we can save our planet from pollution, biodiversity loss and global warming.

Session 3

Amazing Ancient Trees

Information

Today we’re going to find out about our third ancient tree – the fig tree. (show leaves)

Unlike the yew, the fig is not poisonous, and its fruit is enjoyed by humans as well as by many animals.

Hand round a small piece of fig to try.

There are about 800 species of fig tree around the world, some big, some small and some of them have nasty habits.

Game – Mummies (three groups)

This is what many fig trees do to other trees. They are called strangler figs. A bird or mammal poops onto a tree and the thick seeds in the poop start to grow on its branches. The fig sends down long roots that eventually reach the ground where they can gather more water and nutrients. The fig tree then starts to cover the trunk of its host tree with a mesh of roots, choking it so that it is unable to grow. It also sends out branches and leaves which are very dense and cuts off the light for the host tree. It uses its host tree to get a head start in the race for light in the dark jungle.

Game – Pollinators

Fig flowers are a bit different, and they are pollinated differently.

The flowers are actually hiding inside what we normally call the fig fruit (syconium) and they are pollinated by a wasp.

The wasp (female) crawls inside the ‘fruit’ through a little hole made by male wasps. The passage she crawls through is so small she loses her wings. She then pollinates as many flowers as she can and dies. But don’t worry, the fig fruit has a special chemical that dissolves protein, so you won’t find a dead wasp in your fig roll biscuits. Offer some around (the fig trees that produced these figs were probably tricked into producing fruit without wasps).

Games

How quickly can you cover your mummy in toilet roll?

Crafts & Activities

Stuffed figs dipped in chocolate

Fruit Bats

Bodhi Leaves

Videos

How to use this resource

There are 5 Rays, which provide a programme for one year’s sessions for a children’s group running during term-time. For each Ray, there is a set of topics, each of which comprises a theme for a term or half-term.

The sessions are presented in a pick-and-mix way - some information, some games, crafts, videos, etc. You are encouraged to adapt the material to your own setting , the time you have available and the resources you have. Don’t think that you have to do everything on offer.