planting next to PVC pipes

[bystander]

How close can you plant trees and other plants to buried PVC water pipes without the roots damaging them?

[oink]

It would depend on what you want to plant. Properly joined pvc pipes are not extremely succeptable to root intrusion. I would be nore concerned with plants that have roots that will actually lift the pipes which could result in damage. I would keep plantings of anything with large lateral roots far away from the house period as they can be detrimental to the foundation. Banyan-bad, Ironwood(australian pine)-bad etc. Anything apt to blow over and lift the root ball would be bad for pipes. A good plant nursery should be able to give advice on specific plants.

S. FL Islander to be

[Les C]

I don't know how PVC rates in resistance to roots, but the correct type for underground usage is rated to withstand the pressure of a truck driving over it (according to the guys that installed our catchment tank). Root pressure could possibly be way more than a truck, however.

I've heard that koa sends out runners that can be a problem for foundations, which could also be a problem for underground pipes.

[Rob Tucker]

Not all PVC pipe was created equal. There is schedule 40 pipe which us usually interior residential and schedule 80 which I would assume to be rated for underground uses.

[oink]

40 is good for residential underground. I don't believe I would want pvc on the interior, other than possibly sewage.

S. FL Islander to be

[bystander]

Thanks for the advice. I'll be planting ferns and other plants that don't have invasive roots.