Planting a fig tree near the house(foundation)

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71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1457452347	Reply with quote #1

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. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

figeater

Registered:1446540443
Posts: 93

Posted 1457462590	Reply with quote #2

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. __________________ Casey Battle Ground, Wa /Zone 8a

bamafig

Registered:1424827282
Posts: 119

Posted 1457475737	Reply with quote #3

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. __________________ zone 8 4 (local) Celeste, Papa John, LSU Purple, Green Ischia, Brunswick, italian honey, BT, Panache, Deanna, LSU Black, O'Rourke Wish list: Chicago Hardy, VDB, RDB

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1457479947 · Edited	Reply with quote #4

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. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Lewi

Registered:1441222269
Posts: 149

Posted 1457482291 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by snaglpus In my climate, years ago, the old folks would plant their fig trees right up against a foundation. This created a micro climate and keep 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. Fig Trees can take over a whole yard and become invasive. Unless I had no choice I would not plant by a cinder block foundation... As for the zone "hocus pocus"...I would wait a few more winter's and the we will see. One warm winter (with massive pacific warm water gyration) is not cause to change zones...unless it is political. Has everyone forgotten the 2 winter's before this last one? __________________ West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years. Lewi = Levite

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1457489331	Reply with quote #6

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. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1457490808	Reply with quote #7

In a word "NO!" __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1457492382	Reply with quote #8

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. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1457497520	Reply with quote #9

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. __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

akrouus

Registered:1436231528
Posts: 146

Posted 1457497587	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by 71GTO 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. always heard warnings of figs being planted close to structures. i wouldn't do it. its really a matter of timing, and when , not if. You may not see damage to the foundation in the first 15, 20 yrs, but it will eventually impact your foundation. __________________ Nick Southern California

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1457529313	Reply with quote #11

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

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1457556390	Reply with quote #12

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! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

bamafig

Registered:1424827282
Posts: 119

Posted 1457560378	Reply with quote #13

The roots will seek out the water, from the roof drip line, which will direct the roots away from the house. __________________ zone 8 4 (local) Celeste, Papa John, LSU Purple, Green Ischia, Brunswick, italian honey, BT, Panache, Deanna, LSU Black, O'Rourke Wish list: Chicago Hardy, VDB, RDB

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1457571995 · Edited	Reply with quote #14

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 __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

kyyada

Registered:1391503601
Posts: 20

Posted 1457588447	Reply with quote #15

Quote: Originally Posted by bamafig The roots will seek out the water, from the roof drip line, which will direct the roots away from the house. I would not put one near sewer pipes or a septic system, unless you like plugged up pipes. __________________ KY Zone 6b ~ 7a

bamafig

Registered:1424827282
Posts: 119

Posted 1457607706	Reply with quote #16

Well, that could happen anywhere in the yard regardless of the proximity to the house. Clay pipes are the main concern it appears. __________________ zone 8 4 (local) Celeste, Papa John, LSU Purple, Green Ischia, Brunswick, italian honey, BT, Panache, Deanna, LSU Black, O'Rourke Wish list: Chicago Hardy, VDB, RDB

Centurion

Registered:1293429646
Posts: 810

Posted 1457608797 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

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. __________________ Dave Verde Valley, AZ Zone 8

coolmantoole

Registered:1325890979
Posts: 54

Posted 1457621410 · Edited	Reply with quote #18

Quote: As for the zone "hocus pocus"...I would wait a few more winter's and the we will see. One warm winter (with massive pacific warm water gyration) is not cause to change zones...unless it is political. My understanding is that zone maps in the US and Canada are adjusted every 20 years based on the average anual extreem minimal temp temperature for the previous 30 year period. The new zone map is based on temperature data collected between 1976 and 2005 Consequently its not base on data for two or three years but data from 30 years collected between 1976 and 2005. The new map was not published until 2014. I'm not sure of the reason for such a long wait. Between the old map and the current map, I went from Zone 8a (15F to 10F average annual extreme low) to Zone 8b (20F to 15F average extreme low). This does not mean that temperatures here never dropped below 15F during that 30 year period, but it does mean that when you average to lows for each of the 30 years together that average fell between 15F an 20F. God bless. Marcus __________________ Marcus

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