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Plan Before You Plant

We appreciate the outdoors and understand your desire to plant new trees when the weather permits. Before you plant, make sure you consider the lifespan of the plant and its proximity to power lines and equipment. Consider the following:

  • Height. Ensure the tree top will remain more than 10 feet from a power line, even when it’s fully grown.
  • Canopy Spread. Ensure the extended branches will remain more than 10 feet from the power line, even when it’s fully grown.
  • Growth Rate. A slow-growing species is typically stronger and lives longer than fast-growing species.
  • Form or Shape. A columnar tree grows in less space. Round or V-shaped trees provide more shade.
  • What’s Underground. If you want to plant a tree, make sure you don’t run into an underground lines. Call 811 at least 48 hours before you begin any digging project.

Planning for the right tree and the right placement ahead of planting will ensure generations will enjoy its beauty without impacting the reliability of the electric service for your home and neighbors.

Tree Types

The taller a tree will become, the further it needs to be from overhead lines.

Small (<20 Feet)

When planting within 15 feet of power lines is unavoidable

  • Flowering Crabapple
  • Flowering Dogwood
  • Redbud
  • Serviceberry
  • Sweetbay Magnolia
  • Wafer-Ash
  • Common Hawthorn

Medium (25-50 Feet)

Plant minimum 20 feet from overhead lines

  • Flowering Crabapple
  • Flowering Dogwood
  • Redbud
  • Serviceberry
  • Sweetbay Magnolia
  • Wafer-Ash
  • Common Hawthorn Evergreens (up to 30 feet)
  • American Arborvitae
  • Junipers
  • Japanese Yew
  • False Cypress

Large (40+ Feet)

Plant 50+ feet away from overhead lines

  • Ginko
  • Norway Maple
  • Oak
  • Sweetgum
  • Linden or Basswood
  • London Plane
  • Sugar Maple Evergreens (30+ Feet)
  • White Pine
  • Austrian Pine
  • White Firs
  • Blue Spruce

Trees Not Suitable Near Power Lines

  • Catalpa
  • Carolina Poplar
  • Silver Maple
  • Boxelder
  • Willow
  • Siberian Elm
  • Black Locust
  • Cottonwood
  • Tree of Heaven
  • Mulberry
  • Elm species

You should not attempt to trim or remove trees or branches near or adjacent to power lines.

If you have a concern, please call 800.572.1113. We use only trained and licensed professionals to clear trees away from our power lines. Serious injury or even death can occur to untrained individuals.

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