Planting a tree in the house compound for Balinese is not just a matter of planting whatever you want on your front or backyard. There are some beliefs and custom regulations that should be observed when planting a tree in order to achieve the harmony between, human and God, and human and environment, human and other human.

There are some trees that is forbidden to be planted inside the house compound, such as papaya, milk wood tree (pule / Alstonia) and silk-cotton tree (kepuh / Bombax). These trees are believed to bring misfortune since Balinese people believe witches love to gather at the base of these trees.

The position of the tree to be planted inside the house compound is sometimes also governed by the custom regulation. In some villages in Bali, it is forbidden to plant the tree near the house compound’s wall, since when it grows bigger, it branches may spread across the wall and get into the neighbors’ house compounds. In this case, the branches should be cut down by the owner of the tree, and sometimes this circumstance creates a dispute between neighbors.

The kind of tree that is recommended to be planted inside the house compound is the one who produce fragrant flower. If it is possible, the planting of the tree should follow the Balinese cosmological order. The tree which produces red flower should be planted on the south, white on the east, blue on the north and yellow on the west. This arrangement of color is based on the color of the gods who protect the four point of the compass.

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