Ok, there has been some discussion in the past on these and some varying opinions. I would like to plant one or two trees on the south side of my house. It's a newer house and the basement is block(cinder?). I don't beleive fig roots are that invasive and I have seen plenty of trees planted very close to houses and walls and I havnt heard of Damage, but I'd like to be safe and not have issues or have big tree right on the house if it ever got that big. I'd hate to have to cut it down or back if we had to do work in the house or something. Any opinions are appreciated.

I am not sure about how it would affect your foundation, but I am finding that it is good to keep at least a three foot path all the way around the house.  If any repairs need to be made (siding, painting, windows), you don't have a big plant right in the way.

The old saying is that fig trees get lonely, so they grow better next to the house. I dunno. I see lots of old houses with trees very close to them. The roots are fairly shallow, so I've never heard of any damage being done. This is all anecdotal of course.

In my climate, years ago, the old folks would plant their fig trees right up against a foundation. This created a micro climate and kept the trees' root system and tree warm during the winter months. Today that's not necessary because the cold weather has moved north....which is why my zone went from 7b to 8a. Today, in my clmate, folks are tearing out their fig tree because it was planted too close to the house years ago. And the more they chop it, it comes back stronger and bigger and faster. If it was me, I would not plant it near my house.

Thanks guys, I really wanted to throw a tree or two in the ground this year. Our yard is such a mess. We need to level it out and reseed. I have plenty or grand plans, but I can't make it happen all at once. I was thinking if it's close to the house then it would be protected some and be out of the way for the lawn stuff, but I think there are some other spots. I'll have to see where the sun hits and a place that won't be mess up something else.

In a word "NO!"

It is probably safer to do this in NJ than in California or the deep south where fig trees can grow to massive size.  Nevertheless, I would feel better if it was at least 4 feet from the foundation.

All you have to do is dig a hole right next to your foundation and put in cement squares ( root blocks) to protect the foundation. This will cause the roots to grow away from the house. Put them standing up against slab and some flat down.

As is I have over 10 trees planted right next to the house

Dang it, sure was hoping that it would be okay to do.. I was thinking of how some fig growers who live in the Scandanavian countries (so definitely colder type climates) will use the southern facing wall of their homes to grow fig trees along(espalier style I believe?).. Perhaps their foundations are different than most traditional US homes nowadays anyway? I would love to try it, but would not love any headaches with the foundation of my home down the road ;( Better to be safe I suppose.. I'm actually kinda pouting over this lol, thank goodness none of you can see me right now!

The roots will seek out the water, from the roof drip line, which will direct the roots away from the house.  

I planted an avocado tree and used a root guard, which was very effective. I killed the tree but if I hadnt killed it, it would still be alive & fruiting!

Heres an example of a root guard: http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/will-root-barriers-harm-trees

Well, that could happen anywhere in the yard regardless of the proximity to the house. Clay pipes are the main concern it appears.

I have two trees in my yard of the same cultivar.  The oldest one, 5 years old now, is planted 7 feet from the south facing wall of my garage, and is already beginning to leaf out here in Arizona.  I keep it pruned back so there are three or four  feet  between it and the wall.  The other one, grown from a cutting off the first one, is four years old, planted out on the perimeter of our yard, and has a couple of buds but seems to be about three weeks behind the other. 

So there would seem be some benefit from planting even 7 feet away from your south facing wall.