Planting near foundations

panam

I want to plant a fig tree against the wall of my house. There is currently a path of 1200mm (2 paving slabs) running along that wall. I'd like to lose half a slab (300mm), closest to the wall and dig the planting hole in that space (about 200mm from the wall.)
I know that the fig tree itself won't cause any problems. However the base below the slabs is concrete. I assume this is for the path, because it stretches out the full 1200mm, However I am worried that the wall foundations may extend out into that 300mm area, and I obviously don't want to start digging into those!
How likely is that, and how could I tell the difference between a path base and a wall foundation?

Doozergirl

The wall foundation will have bricks laid onto it!

They also usually project around 150mm out from the wall.

You probably don’t want to plant too close simply because it won’t get much water if it’s under the eaves. I gyess that depends on what the plant likes though

glasgowdan

Thw roots will stretch outwards to get water. If you want the tree there, and it's sunny, go for it and spend a bit of extra time watering and feeding it.

Wizard_of_Id

Your insurance company will need to know that there will now be a tree less than 5m from your exterior wall so be prepared for a rate hike.

Davesnave

Wizard_of_Id wrote: »

Your insurance company will need to know that there will now be a tree less than 5m from your exterior wall so be prepared for a rate hike.

If it's pruned, the fig won't become a tree, just a well-trained wall shrub. It will like the poor soil and the broken concrete etc and if you stick some bone meal in the hole, that's about all the feed it'll need for a long, long time.

FreeBear

Davesnave wrote: »

If it's pruned, the fig won't become a tree, just a well-trained wall shrub. It will like the poor soil and the broken concrete etc and if you stick some bone meal in the hole, that's about all the feed it'll need for a long, long time.

Fig trees are best planted so the the roots are restricted and thrive in the crappiest of soils. Ideally, grow them in a large container or dig a large hole and line it with paving slabs (the 2'x2'6" ones are a good size). Fill the hole with stones, rubble, or any other low grade soil.

If you plant a fig tree in good free draining soil without restrictions on roots, expect a fast growing tree with a poor crop of fruit.

I have one growing in an old butler sink (in a greenhouse), and whilst the fruits are not particularly large, I get two crops each year. Being very restricted, the tree doesn't grow very large either... A friend of mine had a cutting from my tree and planted it on a spoil heap outside - Big fruits, and a large tree to boot.