I've finished digging a trench that's going to hold seven pipes of different sizes (three 1" for lawn, and four 3/4" for multiple drip irrigation zones). Part of the trench is near a young tree (3yo Maple) that will eventually be under the tree canopy (acctually, I cut through a 1/2" root digging the trench).

I'm afraid that in years to come, tree roots will grow between the pipes, swell with age, and burst the pipes. I'm looking for a good way to protect the pipes from tree roots in the future.

The only idea others have suggested is to sleeve the pipes in another piece of PVC near the trees. But that will still require multiple sleeves in the same trench.

I'm looking for some feedback on an idea I've come up with on my own. I want to line the side of the trench facing the tree with vinyl siding (Lowe's even has some off-color siding on clearance).

What do you think? Other suggestions?