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There’s something incredibly satisfying about planting a tree, especially when you know it’s going to shade your backyard, boost your curb appeal and help the planet for decades to come. But did you know that where and what you plant can also impact your electric service?

At First Electric, we love seeing our members go green — but we also want to make sure your trees don’t interfere with power lines, service reliability or cause future headaches. Here’s a guide to help you plant smarter, safer and more sustainably!

Pick the Right Tree

Not all trees are created equal — especially when it comes to height and root spread.

Before You Dig, Ask:

• How tall will this tree get?
• Will it be near overhead or underground utilities?
• Will its roots mess with my driveway or water lines?

Tree Height Zones

• No to Low Zone: Plant no trees in this area that will grow to be 25 feet or higher. The low-height zone extends 15 feet on either side of the overhead wires. Plant only large shrubs and small trees with mature heights of 25 feet or less within this area.
• Small Tree Zone: To accommodate the width of taller trees, the small height zone begins at least 15 feet from all utility lines. Select trees that grow 25 to 40 feet or less for planting within this zone.
• Medium Tree Zone: The medium height zone begins at least 15 feet from all utility lines. Select trees that grow 40 to 60 feet or less for planting within this zone.
• Tall Tree Zone: The tall height zone begins at least 35 feet from buildings and at least 60 feet from utility lines. Trees that grow taller than 60 feet are suitable for planting in this area.

Stay Away from the Lines

Trees planted too close to power lines may look nice today — but fast forward 10-15 years, and suddenly your beautiful branches are a reliability risk. That’s when First Electric has to step in for trimming … or worse.

Call Before You Dig!

Before you grab that shovel, dial 811 or visit arkonecall.com to mark underground utilities. It’s free, it’s easy and it could save your life (and your electric service).