How does a tree grow out of a brick wall?

Question

I recently visited Hong Kong Island and saw several examples of trees growing sideways out of brick walls.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyuzo7/Places/photo#5016538147395326978

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyuzo7/Places/photo#5016493123253162818

Both of these pictures were taken on Hong Kong Island in the area around the Central Escalator.

Does anyone know how these trees are able to do this? What species of tree is this? If these trees can grow out of brick walls and survive, why don't cities everywhere do this?

Answer 1

there is a small break in the wall, the tree takes root, and the roots grow into the dirt on the other side of the wall

Answer 2

Well you can't grow a tree in a wall. It first starts out as a seed and flew into a crack. The seed grew into a plant and the crack grew too. The plant continues growing or chokes and dies. The plant eventually grew into a tree. Now if the tree was a climbing plant-- a liana or ivy, that is a complete different story.

Answer 3

nicely as long with the aid of fact the tree is provided with water and image voltaic it may strengthen everywhere. My wager is that it has extrememly shallow roots or the construction is abandoned and it only occurs to be turning out to be with the aid of a wall.

Answer 4

well the roots get in the bricks and it appears

Answer 5

with the air it can grow without soil maybe

Answer 6

Wow that cannot be very safe for that building.