Trees
beautify homes and property, and can lower utility bills if
correctly sited. But care should be taken with trees near
power lines. Every year power outages are caused by storms
that bring trees or limbs down on lines. Restoring power is
expensive, as is trimming trees to prevent these outages.
You can help by taking a “power
friendly” approach in landscaping your property. Choose
the right tree, plant it in the right place, and maintain
it. It’s easy, with just a few simple guidelines.
Select the right tree
When planting near power lines, choose trees that will grow
no higher than 25 feet at maturity. Power-friendly trees
give you the options for spring and fall color, tree shape,
size and fruit.
Ask your local nursery or garden center for help in selecting
trees. They may have further suggestions
for your climate and landscaping.
Check before you dig
Power lines not only run overhead, but underground like
gas, water, telephone and cable. Check with us
before you dig. Root structures can grow and damage underground
lines, or create problems if line
repairs are necessary. Always call the Oregon Utility Notification
Center (One Call), 48 hours before you dig: call 1-800-332-2344.
Plant in the right place
Avoid planting directly under power lines. Within 30
feet of power lines, plant trees that will grow no higher
than 25 feet.
Larger trees should be planted 30 feet or more away from
lines. Look at power lines to your house as well as the
main line along the street or right of way.
Plant leaf-bearing trees to the east and west of your
home to reduce summer cooling costs, while admitting winter
sunlight from the south. Site evergreens and shrubs where
they will block cold winter winds.
Keep trees hazard-free
Inspect your trees carefully each year and during all seasons.
Look for dead limbs, forked trunks, signs of decay, wounds
and cracks, leaning or lopsided trees, and branches rowing
near or into power lines. Dead or diseased trees should be
removed or replaced.
As always, don’t hesitate to call us
at 503.429.3021 if you have any tree-related questions.
Trees
beautify homes and property, and can lower utility bills if
correctly sited. But care should be taken with trees near
power lines. Every year power outages are caused by storms
that bring trees or limbs down on lines. Restoring power is
expensive, as is trimming trees to prevent these outages.
