Power Friendly Trees

Think Power Friendly When Planting Trees

Trees beautify homes and property, but care should be taken when planting trees near power lines. Each year, power outages are caused by storms that bring trees or limbs down on lines. You can help minimize outages by taking a “power friendly” approach in landscaping your property.

30′ – 40′ Small Tree Zone: Trees less than 25′ tall / spread at least 25′ from lines.

50′ – 60′ Medium Tree Zone: Trees 25′ – 40′ in height / spread at least 40′ from lines.

70′ Large Tree Zone: Plant trees larger than 40′ in height / spread at least 60′ from lines.

Power Friendly Tree Examples

Golden Montmorency Cherry	Prunus cerasus	8′ – 15′
Royal Purple Smoke bush	Cotinus coggygria	12′ – 15′
Tatarian Maple	Acer tataricum	15′ – 20′
Amur Maple	Acer ginnala	16′ – 20′
Kousa Dogwood	Cornus florida	20′ – 25′
Golden Chain Tree	Laburnum anagyroides	20’ – 25’
Japanese Snowbell Tree	Styrax japonicas	20’ – 25’
Chinese Plum Yew	Cephalotaxus fortune	25 – 30′

The Clear Zone for Underground Facilities

It is necessary for our employees to quickly locate these facilities and have sufficient space to perform work. Do not place objects, plants, shrubbery or trees in the “Clear Zone.” The District’s standard for clear zones regarding pad-mounted equipment is 10 feet from any part of the equipment that opens and 3 feet from non-opening parts of the equipment.

Clear Zone Requirements

• Pad-mounted equipment — 10′ from any part of equipment that opens; 3′ from non-opening parts of equipment
• Pedestals — 5′ from any part of pedestal
• Do not place objects, plants, shrubbery or tress in Clear Zone