Benjamina Ficus - Weeping Ficus Conflicting Info

[LadyJ171]

Hey all,

I have many years of experience with animals of all types so when bringing in a new plant I am always quick to check for toxicity, and hazards aside from ingestion, that it can bring.

This <grumble grumble> stupid dang tree! Some vets say toxic, some say perfectly safe and often mislabeled as toxic for parrots. Grrrrr!

Which is it? Looking at a wide range of sites I generally trust for a broad range of info it conflicts all over the place. Both of the vets I take my birds to-in the same office-said conflicting even. So I'm putting the feelers out since no one seems to have consistent info.

Would you put a Benjamina Ficus in your home with your birds? I really love these trees-I love a jungle in my home! It makes it feel less concrete. But the trees just don't come inside my house if my birds are at risk.

Thanks.
Julie

 

[labell]

Any type of ficus has a milky substance when the leaves or branches are broken. My huge bonsai is a type of ficus, I don't let the birds near it. One because of the milky glue like stuff but also because "Miffy" is estimated at about 85 yrs old and HUGE!

 

[SilverSage]

I have heard both as well, but before I found the toxic listing I bought one. I just don't let them eat it, and I figure that it should be fine based in most of the info I found saying it is safe. Parrot people tend to be extremely cautious and the second someone suggests something is dangerous we all climb on board whether it is or not. On the other hand, many people say things like "well I gave it to my bird and he is fine" even when it is clearly dangerous. I'm not saying get it, I'm just saying it make sense that there is conflicting info.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Please pardon me for just a second LadyJ.

Any type of ficus has a milky substance when the leaves or branches are broken. My huge bonsai is a type of ficus, I don't let the birds near it. One because of the milky glue like stuff but also because "Miffy" is estimated at about 85 yrs old and HUGE!

Laura, you cannot talk about Miffy without a single photo, that's just cruel. :32:

 

[LadyJ171]

Laura, you cannot talk about Miffy without a single photo, that's just cruel. :32:

I thought about that too

 

[labell]

Please pardon me for just a second LadyJ.

Any type of ficus has a milky substance when the leaves or branches are broken. My huge bonsai is a type of ficus, I don't let the birds near it. One because of the milky glue like stuff but also because "Miffy" is estimated at about 85 yrs old and HUGE!

Laura, you cannot talk about Miffy without a single photo, that's just cruel. :32:

I won't be cruel, here she is..she is as anxious for warmer weather as I am when she can finally go back outside!

 

[Allee]

Miffy is spectacular!! Wow! Thanks for sharing her photo!