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  1. Home
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  3. Power Projects & Plans
  4. Reliability & Tree Trimming
  5. Plan Before You Plant

Plan Before You Plant

We appreciate the outdoors and understand your desire to plant new trees when the weather permits. Before you plant, make sure you consider the lifespan of the tree and its proximity to power lines and equipment. Consider the following:

  • Height. Ensure the treetop will remain more than 10 feet from the distribution power line, even once fully grown. The taller a tree becomes, the further it should be from power lines.
  • Canopy Spread. Ensure the side branches remain more than 10 feet from the power line, even once fully grown.
  • Growth Rate. A slow-growing species is typically stronger and lives longer than a fast-growing species. Consider what the tree will look like in 10-20 years and if the tree will still fit in that spot.
  • What’s Underground. If you want to plant a tree, make sure you don’t run into any underground lines.

Call 811 at least 48 hours before you begin any digging project.

Planning for the right tree and the right placement ahead of planting will ensure generations will enjoy its beauty without impacting the reliability of the electric service for your home and neighbors.

Your local tree nursery can help you find the right tree for the right place. Let them know how far away you need to plant from power lines, and they can help recommend the best species.

Below are some recommended species depending on the distance you are planting from power lines.

When planting within 15 feet of power lines is unavoidable, you can consider the following trees:

  • Flowering Crabapple
  • Flowering Dogwood
  • Japanese Maple
  • Serviceberry
  • Japanese Tree Lilac
  • Star Magnolia
  • Jane Magnolia
  • Sweet Bay Magnolia
  • Various ornamentals with mature height below 20 feet

Plant these trees a minimum of 20 feet from overhead lines:

  • Hawthorn
  • Flowering Cherry
  • Paperbark Maple
  • Mimosa
  • Ohio Buckeye
  • Eastern Redbud
  • American Arborvitae

Plant these trees 50+ feet away from overhead lines:

  • Ginkgo
  • Norway Maple
  • Oak
  • Sweetgum
  • Linden or Basswood
  • London Plane
  • Sugar Maple
  • Tulip Poplar
  • Austrian Pine
  • White Firs
  • Blue Spruce

These trees aren’t suitable near power lines:

  • Catalpa
  • Wild Cherry
  • Silver Maple
  • Boxelder
  • Willow
  • Sassafras
  • Black Locust
  • Cottonwood
  • Tree of Heaven
  • Mulberry
  • Elm species

You should not attempt to trim or remove trees or branches near or adjacent to power lines.
If you have a concern, please report it online or call 614.883.6987. We use only trained and licensed professionals to clear trees away from our power lines. Serious injury or even death can occur to untrained individuals.

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