Trees and Feng Shui
Overall, having trees on your lot is a good thing. Trees represent vital wood qi, growth, and vitality. Healthy trees mean that there is good earth qi surrounding the home, and they are also protectors and guardians. If you’re wondering whether a big tree in front of your home is a good thing or not, we would encourage you to ask yourself a few questions:
How does the tree feel in relation to your home? Does it feel protective and stabilizing? Does it provide shade for you on a hot day? If you have children, do they enjoy playing around it? Are there many birds and other creatures interacting with the tree?
Based on your answers to these questions, you might decide that the tree on your property is enhancing the energy of your home. However, if the tree feels heavy and overbearing, or if you worry about large limbs hanging over the home, those could be pointing towards a tree that is not beneficial to your home’s feng shui. Is the tree so close to the home that you don’t feel comfortable? Is it unhealthy, rather than thriving? These are additional clues that this tree might not be a positive addition to the property.
What to Look Out For
In addition to the questions above, look out for trees that are too close to the structure of the house. This can be an issue from a mundane perspective as well as a feng shui one. If there are trees very close to the house, this can cause problems with plumbing and sometimes even the home’s foundation. In terms of feng shui, a tree too close to the house can also impact how qi, or energy, flows into the home. So, what counts as too close to the house? Here are a few ways to tell that your tree’s location is not ideal for good feng shui:
The branches are touching the roofThe tree is closer to the home than twice your heightA large tree is directly in line with your front door
When there’s a tree right in front of the front door, it might be blocking the flow of qi into your home. Your front door is one of the most important areas of the home when it comes to feng shui because it’s the primary way that qi, or energy, enters the space. The front door brings in new opportunities, and it also represents your voice and what you show to the world. This means that it’s very important to make sure that qi can flow easily through this area. This includes ensuring that there are no large obstacles (including trees) blocking the way.
How to Correct a Tree That Is Too Close to the Front Door
Remove or Prune
If you have an unhealthy tree that feels overbearing and precarious in relation to your home (i.e. limbs hanging over the roof), you should consider calling a trained arborist to see whether or not the tree needs to be removed. In some cases, this is the best course of action. At other times, some simple landscaping and pruning can do the trick. Often, people have overgrown shrubs or small trees that limit access to the front door. Not only do overgrown, unruly branches take away from your home’s curb appeal, but they also have an impact on the energy of your home. If it is hard for a person, like your mail carrier, to find and access your front door, then the qi will also have a hard time finding you. If you do have a shrub blocking the front door, you can start by trying to prune it back. If this helps, you’ll need to remember to do some upkeep. You might also consider removing the shrubs and replacing them with a smaller variety that won’t create as much of a block. If you take this route, you could even use it as an opportunity to choose something with a little color, to add some visual interest or support a specific feng shui intention.
Focus on the Front Door
If you have a smaller, thinner-trunked tree that is in line with your door but doesn’t completely block it, this is less of a problem. In this case, you can focus on boosting the door by adding color and interest. Try adding the color red, which is very auspicious in feng shui. You can do this with a flowering plant, or if you are feeling brave, paint your front door!
Allow the Qi to Flow Through the Tree
If you have a well-established tree with a wide trunk that blocks your front door, you can attach a round mirror to the tree trunk. This creates an energetic opening for qi to pass through. You can also grow vegetation like morning glory or sweet pea up the trunk of the tree, encouraging the qi to meander around the tree trunk.
