Living Root Bridges!!! A must see!

Wow,,these are some really amazing photos of bridges that were grown out of Roots of the local trees that grow in the area..

In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren't built—they're grown.

The southern Khasi and Jaintia hills are humid and warm, crisscrossed by swift-flowing rivers and mountain streams. On the slopes of these hills, a species of Indian rubber tree with an incredibly strong root system thrives and flourishes.

The Ficus elastica produces a series of secondary roots from higher up its trunk and can comfortably perch atop huge boulders along the riverbanks, or even in the middle of the rivers themselves. The War-Khasis, a tribe in Meghalaya, long ago noticed this tree and saw in its powerful roots an opportunity to easily cross the area's many rivers. Now, whenever and wherever the need arises, they simply grow their bridges.

In order to make a rubber tree's roots grow in the right direction—say, over a river—the Khasis use betel nut trunks, sliced down the middle and hollowed out, to create root-guidance systems. The thin, tender roots of the rubber tree, prevented from fanning out by the betel nut trunks, grow straight out. When they reach the other side of the river, they're allowed to take root in the soil. Given enough time, a sturdy, living bridge is produced.

How cool is that? Please enjoy....






This one is really the coolest ...




so are these two....













source 1

source 2

These bridges were re-discovered by Denis P. Rayen of the Cherrapunji Holiday Resort. Due to his efforts to promote interest in the bridges, the local population has been alerted to their potential worth and kept them from being destroyed in favor of steel ones. What's more, a new root bridge is currently being grown and should be ready for use within a decade.

Thats really cool... thanks for posting these.

That is freaking awesome!! I had no idea they did this, very interesting.

Probably last longer and are stronger than the bridges in my county.

reply to post by baddmove

Loves this kind of stuff!
I bet that thing is surprisingly strong too!
Nice find baddmove!

spec

reply to post by SnakeShot


You are most welcome!

Pretty amazing to me too..

gotta love what nature and man can do together..

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


Thanks SO..

some of these bridges can support up to 50 people..

Imagine that..

Awesome post OP. I personally think these bridges are absolutely gorgeous to look at. Would love to one day see one in person and traverse one myself. Thanks for the pics/links!

reply to post by baddmove


Okay, I just have to have one of those. Think it will take long?

Very cool. Thanks.

reply to post by The GUT


Well..according to the article i posted a link too..

a new root bridge is currently being grown and should be ready for use within a decade.

so there you go, better get crackin!

reply to post by tsawyer2


Some really nice pics here..

These bridges will last forever too..unlike steel bridges..

very cool! thx for sharing!
very resourceful!
I've often wanted to build a studio in the country of just a steel lattice and frame.
then plant kudzu around it and let it run it's course to act as the covering. (with some strategic clipping here and there)

reply to post by baddmove




Amazing.

That reminds me of that architect that is designing homes out of living foliage.

S & F

Thanks mate!!Such a lovely,welcome diversion from the ever increasing doom & gloom postings in here .

Google "Arborsculpture" or check out this site:arborsmith.com

or these cool pics....









That's just a sampling...you just need to be patient and you can do this with almost any tree. Were to you think they got inspiration from when doing the elven vilage in Lord O teh Rings?

Those bridges are amazing i had no idea they even existed thank you so much for posting and the links there just magnificent ..

Lothloríen

reply to post by LordBaskettIV


WoW...Thanks for sharing those pics...

those are some really cool looking tree houses.

reply to post by fotsyfots


Thanks..

I was hoping to liven the board up a bit with something not so doom and gloomish..

those bridges look ok, but seriously, like how many thousands of spiders are going to be on it?

there would be no way i would cross that without a decent spider squashing stick in hand

Spot the Ewok

There are five Ewoks hidden in this picture, see if you can find them all.



Seriously cool pictures!! S+F

Peace