Hello All! It's been a while since I've posted. My fig season last year didn't so well, with my figs in barrels not doing so hot. Thus, I'm trying to move them to the ground, and have found some spots in the front yard that would be perfect.

Unfortunately one spot it right over the gas line, which is a steel pipe. I've read a couple things saying the roots won't damage steel, which seems logical, but I have an active imagination......what do you think? Is it safe or should I not mess with it (and make my husband dig another hole somewhere else, which he hates, lol, though I'm guessing an explosion would be worse)? 

Missed ya!  Been a while for me too.  But, just don't plant anything close to your house.  Fig roots can destroy a foundation!  And, I'd be careful about that gas line.

Suzi

Thanks! I'm just so bummed, finally found a good spot - and even more miraculously got my husband to dig a hole! drat! 
I hope you're doing well Suzi!!! :) 

I don't think that fig roots would damage a steel pipe.  Of course the permeable type of sewer pipes and stormwater pipes could get clogged by fig roots but not something like steel.

The only downside that I can think of is they would have to be moved if there are repairs or replacement of pipes.

Hi,
Here those pipes are installed deep. At which depth is that pipe ?
Try to expand the hole away from the pipe and put the tree in a 80 liters trashcan. The trashcan or barel would be next to the pipe. The Trashcan would avoid the roots to mess up the pipe .
Or you could use a 3/4 of the trashcan or barrel and let the open side exposed to the side where there is no pipe.