Why the trees aren't burning in Pacific Northwest fire

This tree wasn’t always considered invasive, and that’s what makes its story so fascinating. 🌳 This is Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa), a tree native to Southeast Asia that was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s as an ornamental because of its dense canopy, glossy foliage, and ability to thrive in urban environments. For decades, it seemed relatively harmless. The reason? It relies on a tiny pollinator, the fig wasp or ficus wasp (Eupristina verticillata), to produce viable seeds. Wi