The Formentera Fig Tree: More than a Tree, a Symbol of the Island

More than just a tree, the fig tree represents history, tradition, and the landscape of Formentera. Discover its symbolism and interesting facts.

The Formentera fig tree: A humble but essential tree

Anyone who has walked along Formentera's paths in summer has seen one: a solitary, wide fig tree with branches that almost touch the ground, casting a generous shadow in the middle of a dry field. It doesn't immediately catch the eye. But it's one of the most authentic images of the island.

The fig tree has been a peasant's ally for centuries. It bears fruit in summer, withstands drought, and provides shade for people and animals. But in Formentera, it has also become a symbol: of resilience, of simplicity, of connection with the land.

Source: ABC.es

Why is it so special?

Because it's part of the rural landscape and the lives of those who have worked this land. Fig trees were planted near farmhouses and trained with wooden stakes so their branches would grow horizontally. This way, the shade became larger, almost like a natural structure.

In summer, that shade was a refuge. For eating outdoors, for storing tools, for resting after a day's work.

A tree that is shared

In many Formentera estates, the fig tree is a meeting place. Beneath it, people eat, talk, and play. It's not uncommon to see stone tables or improvised benches among its branches.

Today, although agricultural use has declined, many of these fig trees remain and continue to fulfill their purpose: uniting, protecting, bearing fruit, and reminding us of what life was like before tourism.

Source: Figs & Figs

Where to see the most emblematic fig trees?

• Old Road of La Mola: rural road where you will see several hundred-year-old fig trees.
• Near Es Caló: Some fields still retain the traditional layout.
• Around Sant Ferran and Sant Francesc: between farmhouses and secondary roads.

You don't need to look for them. If you stray from the busiest beaches and head a little further along the inland routes, you'll find them.

Figs in summer

If you visit the island in July or August, it's fig season. They're sold at street markets, in small local shops, or right on the roadside. They're sweet, fresh, and unlike anything you'd find in supermarkets.

The value of simplicity

In an increasingly fast-paced and saturated world, the Formentera fig tree reminds us of something basic: that what is useful can be beautiful. That what cares, nourishes, and provides shade doesn't need to be luxurious.

And if you decide to explore the island at your own pace, there is something that many locals do to see these landscapes without rushing: the boat rental in FormenteraBecause even from the sea you can contemplate the island in silence, without stress, as if under the shade of a fig tree.