Avoiding Tree & Utility Conflicts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be
taken lightly. Many factors should be considered prior to planting.
When planning what type of tree to plant, remember to look up and
look down to determine where the tree will be located in relation to
overhead and underground utility lines.
Often, we take our utility services for granted because they have
become a part of our daily lives. For us to enjoy the convenience of
reliable, uninterrupted service, distribution systems are required to
bring utilities into our homes. These services arrive at our homes
through overhead or underground lines. Overhead lines can be
either electric, telephone, or cable television. Underground lines
include these three plus water, sewer, and natural gas. The location
of these lines should have a direct impact on your tree and planting
site selection. The ultimate mature height of a tree to be planted
must be within the available overhead growing space. Just as
important, the soil area must be large enough to accommodate the
particular rooting habits and ultimate trunk diameter of the tree.
Proper tree and site selection will provide trouble-free beauty and
pleasure for years to come.
Overhead Lines
Overhead utility lines are the easiest to see and probably the ones
we take most for granted. Although these lines look harmless
enough, they can be extremely dangerous. Planting tall growing
trees under and near these lines will ultimately require your utility to
prune them to maintain safe clearance from the wires. This pruning
may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance. Periodic
pruning can also lead to a shortened life span for the tree. Trees that
must be pruned away from power lines are under greater stress and
are more susceptible to insects and disease. Small, immature trees
planted today can become problem trees in the future. Tall growing
trees near overhead lines can cause service interruptions when
trees contact wires. Children or adults climbing in these trees can be
severely injured or even killed if they come in contact with the wires.
Proper selection and placement of trees in and around overhead
utilities can eliminate potential public safety hazards, reduce
expenses for utilities and their rate payers, and improve the
appearance of landscapes.
Underground Lines
Trees are much more than just what you see overhead. Many times
the root area is larger than the branch spread above ground. Much
of the utility service provided today runs below ground. Tree roots
and underground lines often co-exist without problems. However,
trees planted near underground lines could have their roots
damaged if the lines need to be dug up for repairs.
The biggest danger to underground lines occurs during planting.
Before you plant, make sure that you are aware of the location of any
underground utilities. To be certain that you do not accidentally dig
into any lines and risk serious injury or a costly service interruption,
call your utility company or utility protection service first. Never
assume that these utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig.
In some cases, utility lines are very close to the surface.
Proper Places for Trees Around Homes
The illustration above indicates approximately where trees should be
planted in relation to utility lines. Your garden center staff or tree
care professional will gladly help you select the right tree.
Tall Zone
Trees that grow 60 feet (20m) or more in height.
Larger types of trees can be used here; however, you should
consider your neighbor’s view or their existing plantings of flower
beds and/or trees. Plant large trees at least 35 feet (11m) away from
the house for proper root development and to minimize damage to
the house or building. These large growing trees are also
recommended for streets without overhead restrictions. Street
planting sites must also have very wide planting areas or medians
[greater than 8' (3m)] that allo w for a large root system, trunk
diameter, and root flare. Large trees are also recommended for
parks, meadows, or other open areas where their large size, both
above and below ground, will not be restricted, cause damage, or
become a liability.
Medium Zone
Trees that grow no taller than 40 feet (12m).
These trees are used to decorate or frame your house or provide a
park-like setting. Select your trees first, then plant shrubs to
complement the trees. Medium-sized trees are also recommended
for planting anywhere the above and below ground growing space
will allow for reaching a mature height of 30' - 40' (10m - 12m).
Appropriate soil spaces are: wide planting areas or medians [4' (1m) -
8' (3m) wide], large planting squares [8' (3m) square or greater], and
other open areas of similar size or larger.
Low Zone
Trees that grow no taller than 20 feet (6m).
This zone extends 15 feet (4.5m) on either side of the wires. Trees
with a mature height of less than 20 feet (6m) may be planted
anywhere within this zone, including street tree plantings under
utility lines. They are also recommended when the growing space is
limited. These trees are also appropriate for narrow planting areas
[less than 4' (1m) wide], planting squares or circles surrounded by
concrete, large raised planting containers or other locations where
underground space for roots will not support tall or medium zone
trees.
Some Further Suggestions
Windbreaks
Plant evergreen trees on the west or north side of the house,
approximately 50 feet (15m) or more from the house.
Temperature Plant deciduous (autumn leaf-dropping) trees on the
south and/or west side of the house to cool in the summer and allow
sun to enter the house in the winter. Planning before planting will
help you to be sure that the right tree is planted in the right place.
Proper tree selection and placement will enhance your property
value and prevent costly maintenance trimming and damage to your
home. Good landscaping utilizes shrubs and low-growing trees that
are compatible with utility lines. Low-growing trees will not reach
utility lines. They will not, therefore, create public safety hazards or
cause service interruptions to you or your neighbors, nor will they
require severe pruning.
For further information on planting and helpful tips on tree selection
be sure to pick up the International Society of Arboriculture
publications entitled New Tree Planting and Tree Selection available
www.treesaregood.org. If you have any more questions, please
contact your tree care professional, utility company, local nursery, or
county extension office.
For Additional Information
This brochure is one in a series published by the International
Society of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be
taken lightly. Many factors should be considered prior to planting.
When planning what type of tree to plant, remember to look up and
look down to determine where the tree will be located in relation to
overhead and underground utility lines.
Often, we take our utility services for granted because they have
become a part of our daily lives. For us to enjoy the convenience of
reliable, uninterrupted service, distribution systems are required to
bring utilities into our homes. These services arrive at our homes
through overhead or underground lines. Overhead lines can be
either electric, telephone, or cable television. Underground lines
include these three plus water, sewer, and natural gas. The location
of these lines should have a direct impact on your tree and planting
site selection. The ultimate mature height of a tree to be planted
must be within the available overhead growing space. Just as
important, the soil area must be large enough to accommodate the
particular rooting habits and ultimate trunk diameter of the tree.
Proper tree and site selection will provide trouble-free beauty and
pleasure for years to come.
Overhead Lines
Overhead utility lines are the easiest to see and probably the ones
we take most for granted. Although these lines look harmless
enough, they can be extremely dangerous. Planting tall growing
trees under and near these lines will ultimately require your utility to
prune them to maintain safe clearance from the wires. This pruning
may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance. Periodic
pruning can also lead to a shortened life span for the tree. Trees that
must be pruned away from power lines are under greater stress and
are more susceptible to insects and disease. Small, immature trees
planted today can become problem trees in the future. Tall growing
trees near overhead lines can cause service interruptions when
trees contact wires. Children or adults climbing in these trees can be
severely injured or even killed if they come in contact with the wires.
Proper selection and placement of trees in and around overhead
utilities can eliminate potential public safety hazards, reduce
expenses for utilities and their rate payers, and improve the
appearance of landscapes.
Underground Lines
Trees are much more than just what you see overhead. Many times
the root area is larger than the branch spread above ground. Much
of the utility service provided today runs below ground. Tree roots
and underground lines often co-exist without problems. However,
trees planted near underground lines could have their roots
damaged if the lines need to be dug up for repairs.
The biggest danger to underground lines occurs during planting.
Before you plant, make sure that you are aware of the location of any
underground utilities. To be certain that you do not accidentally dig
into any lines and risk serious injury or a costly service interruption,
call your utility company or utility protection service first. Never
assume that these utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig.
In some cases, utility lines are very close to the surface.
Proper Places for Trees Around Homes
The illustration above indicates approximately where trees should be
planted in relation to utility lines. Your garden center staff or tree
care professional will gladly help you select the right tree.
Tall Zone
Trees that grow 60 feet (20m) or more in height.
Larger types of trees can be used here; however, you should
consider your neighbor’s view or their existing plantings of flower
beds and/or trees. Plant large trees at least 35 feet (11m) away from
the house for proper root development and to minimize damage to
the house or building. These large growing trees are also
recommended for streets without overhead restrictions. Street
planting sites must also have very wide planting areas or medians
[greater than 8' (3m)] that allo w for a large root system, trunk
diameter, and root flare. Large trees are also recommended for
parks, meadows, or other open areas where their large size, both
above and below ground, will not be restricted, cause damage, or
become a liability.
Medium Zone
Trees that grow no taller than 40 feet (12m).
These trees are used to decorate or frame your house or provide a
park-like setting. Select your trees first, then plant shrubs to
complement the trees. Medium-sized trees are also recommended
for planting anywhere the above and below ground growing space
will allow for reaching a mature height of 30' - 40' (10m - 12m).
Appropriate soil spaces are: wide planting areas or medians [4' (1m) -
8' (3m) wide], large planting squares [8' (3m) square or greater], and
other open areas of similar size or larger.
Low Zone
Trees that grow no taller than 20 feet (6m).
This zone extends 15 feet (4.5m) on either side of the wires. Trees
with a mature height of less than 20 feet (6m) may be planted
anywhere within this zone, including street tree plantings under
utility lines. They are also recommended when the growing space is
limited. These trees are also appropriate for narrow planting areas
[less than 4' (1m) wide], planting squares or circles surrounded by
concrete, large raised planting containers or other locations where
underground space for roots will not support tall or medium zone
trees.
Some Further Suggestions
Windbreaks
Plant evergreen trees on the west or north side of the house,
approximately 50 feet (15m) or more from the house.
Temperature Plant deciduous (autumn leaf-dropping) trees on the
south and/or west side of the house to cool in the summer and allow
sun to enter the house in the winter. Planning before planting will
help you to be sure that the right tree is planted in the right place.
Proper tree selection and placement will enhance your property
value and prevent costly maintenance trimming and damage to your
home. Good landscaping utilizes shrubs and low-growing trees that
are compatible with utility lines. Low-growing trees will not reach
utility lines. They will not, therefore, create public safety hazards or
cause service interruptions to you or your neighbors, nor will they
require severe pruning.
For further information on planting and helpful tips on tree selection
be sure to pick up the International Society of Arboriculture
publications entitled New Tree Planting and Tree Selection available
www.treesaregood.org. If you have any more questions, please
contact your tree care professional, utility company, local nursery, or
county extension office.
For Additional Information
This brochure is one in a series published by the International
Society of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program.
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