Utility Friendly Trees
Conflicts Between Utilities and Trees
Plan ahead before planting a tree, because tall trees planted under utility lines are expensive to maintain and potentially hazardous. Power failures may result from tree limbs that break off and hit the power lines. Tall trees that have grown into the utility lines may conduct electricity making the tree dangerous, even potentially fatal. Tall trees planted under utility lines require regular pruning by the utility company that is costly and results in an unnaturaland unhealthy tree form.
What is a utility-friendly tree?
Utility-friendly trees are small, reaching 25 feet or less at maturity. Such trees do not grow into, and thus interfere with, power lines. Utility- friendly trees are a safe solution to potential conflicts between power lines and urban trees. Utility-friendly trees contribute to the urban forest in many of the same ways that larger trees do by providing shade, spring flowers, fall color and habitat for wildlife.
We are working with local nurseries and garden centers to have these tags placed on Utility Friendly Trees. These trees will not interfere with utility lines or need major pruning to prevent outages. Please look for these tags or read the information included with any tree that you want to plant near utility lines.
What Trees Are Utility-Friendly?
- Amur Maple
- Yoshino Cherry
- Plum
- Flowering Cherry
- Japanese Lilac
- Corneliancherry Dogwood
- Eastern Redbud
- Flowering Dogwood
- Japanese Maple
- Serviceberry
- Crepe Myrtle
- Crabapple
Participating Nurseries
- Schott Gardens
- Leichhardts Nursery Supply
- Alvaton Nursery
- Wal-Mart Garden Centers