This is the home site for the Florida State Champion Ficus Mysorensis otherwise known as the Mysore Fig. The tree was planted in 1896 by a friend of Thomas Alva Edison with hope of being helpful with the invention of rubber. It was brought to the United States from Mysore, India which lies in southern India. Go to Mysore, India for more information. It was the custom of the time to plant unusual trees to mark the property lines therefore it was planted at the corner of the lot where it still stands today, 113 years later. The tree has grown to a height of over 93', a crown spread of over 130', and a circumference of about 40'. Using the National Register of Big Trees Measuring Guide this tree would be given a total of 606 points. The roots which are the main attraction of the tree have grown to over 6' above ground.

The tree has seen many storms and much severe weather through the years and it shows. Just look at the tree and you will see the damage. Hurricane number 5 hit land at 14798 Jonathan Harbour Drive, Punta Rassa, FL in 1910 with 110mph winds. Measuring as the crow flies would only be 6 miles away. The tree only being in the ground for 14 years suffered major damage that can be seen today. In 1960, Hurricane Donna passed just a couple miles east causing much damage. Cold weather has also played a big part in the tree's growth history. The extreme cold weather in the early 1980's caused severe damage and the loss of many very large limbs. It was at this time we had thought the tree was dead but budded back out several months later. 2004 brought forth many hurricanes and again much damage. This damage can be see about 10 feet from the ends of all the major limbs showing that in the past five years it has grown about 10 feet.

This tree became part of our family when the house and land were purchased in 1971. The house that came with the property was the fifth house built in Estero and was removed in 1977. Many years were spent cleaning the yard and making the tree and surroundings what they are today. In 1999, with the help of the Estero Historical Society this Mysore Fig tree was named the Florida State Champion Ficus Mysorensis.

There is a constant stream of lookers as they drive by many of which will stop, take pictures, and ask questions which are gladly answered. It takes an average of six hours a day to keep the area clean so that people can visit and enjoy. It makes all the work done worthwhile when people stop, take pictures, and ask questions. There have been several articles written about this tree in the past one of which was Fig Tree Turns Heads. It is thought that this tree is the number one photographed single item in Estero.

On August 13, 2009, Earl Brooks the owner of the property turned 93 which is the same year the tree turned 113. To celebrate his birthday a surprise birthday party was planned. Family and friends sent 123 bithday cards to him and were given to him on this day. You can read an article about the party written by Meghan Easterly for the Bonita Banner called Local roots; Neighbors wish happy birthday to a man and his tree. You can also see pictures of the party in the Gallery.

This tree with its size is the largest of its kind in the United States of America. The largest one I have found in California is about 45' tall. The largest one in Hawaii is about 80 years old and is located on the grounds of Building 692, Grant Hall, at the Waianae & McCornack Rd intersection, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The trunk diameter at breast height is about 8'. The height is about 75' tall. The crown spread is about 125'. This magnificent Mysore Fig which serves as benchmark of the Schofield Barracks Historic District was designated in 2001 as an Exceptional Tree of the City and County of Honolulu. Check out the pictures of this tree shown in the Gallery. These pictures are provided by Patrick Ching, Agronomist at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Even though the Estero tree is the largest in the USA and is a Florida State Champion, it can never be a National Champion. To be a National Champion it would have to be a native tree of the continental USA. Check out the National Register of Big Trees for more information.

Here are two interviews done by the local news of Earl Brooks and the Mysore Fig tree. One was done in 1993 and the other in 1999. They are both short so take a few minutes and see what he has to say.