Cover Image via: Neo Nusantara
People love planting trees in front of their houses. There are many benefits to it, mainly keeping the surrounding air clean and refreshing while providing some shade.
If you happen to successfully plant a fruit tree, you might even get to enjoy the “fruits” of your effort! Nonetheless, the choices of trees also exert a powerful influence on the Feng Shui of our homes. So, what types of trees, and how to plant them to invite good luck into our homes?
1. The species of tree
In Feng Shui, there are two categories of trees, either they bring good luck or they bring bad luck to the house. There are two important criteria that differentiate the two categories: First, you should understand whether the plant itself contains any poisonous gasses or fluids. Next, the characteristics of the plants and their potential implications to Feng Shui should be taken into consideration as well.
Plants which bring luck to the owners include palm trees, orange tree, bamboo, plum, fig, pomegranate, grape, and other similar species.
Other than that, plants that helps in removing negative energy include: peach, willow, gingko, cypress, Chinese mugwort, dogwood, Sapindus, gourd, etc.
If any members of the family suffer from a heart attack or high blood pressure, it is strongly advised against planting any species of plants which stimulates our sense of smell. An example would be oleander, in which the plant’s flowers are fairly poisonous. The fragrance could lull people into sleep and reduce the body’s immunity. Tulips, on the flipside, contain alkaline in their petals and frequently touching them would cause your hair to fall off. These ominous plants are simply not suitable for planting near your courtyard.
Nonetheless, some people may perceive that the shape of a plant would determine whether it brings good fortune or illness. We often obtain hearsay about disfigured trees bringing misfortune to the owner, bent plants halting the flow of one’s fortune, and even trees inviting sickness into one’s humble adobe. Well, we are afraid that this argument is quite biased, as it favors people’s ideas of having aesthetic plants.
2. The size of the tree
In the teachings of Feng Shui, planting big sized trees in rows is beneficial in blocking any inauspicious energy. On vast plains or houses with a wide piece of land may have trees planted at the back of the house, with middle sized trees planted on both sides and low shrubs placed directly in front. This arrangement resembles the Green Dragon on the left; the White Tiger on the right; a Scarlet Bird in front of the house; whilst a Black Warrior brings up the back. This planting method fully complied with modern artistic concepts, while also being in line with people looking for ‘feng shui treasures’ to fulfill their psychological desires.
3. Number of trees
The size of the house should be considered when contemplating on the right number of trees. A reasonably close planting will even help with the family fortune too! But, if the housing compound itself is narrow and tight, it is not suitable to have many types of plants, and it prevents being in an overcast for long periods. If there is room at the rear of the house, close planting techniques could be used to fill the space.
4. Direction and position of the trees
It was noted in ancient feng shui arts that carambolas should be planted facing east; plums to the west; elms to the south and plums facing north, as it represents prosperity. If the arrangement was misaligned, it would bring great misfortune. Therefore, the direction of planting should closely follow the directions of feng shui compass.
Mulberry is suitable to be planted on the North and North-East1 directions of the house.
Pine tree is suitable to be planted on the East and North-East3 directions of the house.
Willow tree is suitable to be planted on the South and South-West1 directions of the house.
Guava tree is suitable to be planted on the West and South-West3 directions of the house.
Bamboo tree is suitable to be planted on the South East directions of the house.
Flatbed trees are suitable to be planted on the North West directions of the house.
At the same time, it should be noted that mulberry should not be planted in front of a house. This is because mulberries are homophobic to the character of ‘funeral’ in mandarin. And, this would resemble looking upon at a funeral every moment we step out of our house. Therefore, it should be planted behind the house, and the Chinese scholar tree, symbolizing prosperity, should be planted out front.
From the discussions, it could be seen that there is a combination of modern and natural scientific knowledge when understanding which directions the plants should face. An example of this is planting carambolas in the east because the eastern direction gets the day’s first sunlight. As willow germinates much earlier than other plants and peach’s flowers are the first to bloom during springtime, it makes sense to plant them in the eastern direction of your house. It was also known that elm trees thrive in damp and bright conditions, thus making it suitable to plant facing the east as well.
Translated from: 庭院门前不要种错树！4招教你门前种树带好运！
