Why didn’t our ancestors plant a fig tree near the house?

Certainly! Here’s an engaging and informative article for your intriguing topic:

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## **Why Didn’t Our Ancestors Plant a Fig Tree Near the House? The Surprising Reason Behind This Ancient Belief**

Fig trees are beloved today for their sweet fruit, shade-giving leaves, and even ornamental beauty — but if you ask your grandparents or look back at old traditions, you might find something curious: **planting a fig tree near the house was often avoided.** Why?

This seemingly harmless tree has long carried a mix of symbolism, superstition, and practical concerns — some of which still echo in rural communities and traditional gardens around the world.

So, what was it about fig trees that made our ancestors think twice before planting them too close to home?

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### 🌳 1. **The Roots Run Deep — Too Deep**

From a purely **practical standpoint**, fig trees develop **aggressive, invasive root systems**. While they might start small, they quickly expand in search of water — often invading foundations, lifting sidewalks, or damaging underground pipes.

For ancestors living in homes built with stone or primitive plumbing, this wasn’t just inconvenient — it was potentially **disastrous**. Avoiding fig trees near the home was a simple form of early structural protection.

> 💡 Even today, experts recommend planting fig trees **at least 20–30 feet** from buildings and water lines.

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### 🕯️ 2. **Superstition and Symbolism**

In many cultures, fig trees were associated with **mysticism, fertility, and even the spirit world**. In some parts of Europe and the Middle East, there were beliefs that spirits — both good and bad — could dwell in or around old fig trees.

Some ancient communities feared that planting a fig tree near the home could **invite misfortune, illness, or even hauntings**.