Plan for the Future When Planting
Trees
Trees can be a major cause of power interruptions, both prolonged
and momentary, for electric utility consumers. Each year, your electric
cooperative invests a good deal of time and money cutting and trimming
trees just to maintain a clear right-of-way for our electric lines.
The lines are maintained on a five-year rotation; therefore, some older
trees have been trimmed many times through the years. Cooperative members
can help reduce the cost of future line-clearing projects by following
these suggestions:
Look up (and down) before you plant a tree. At its mature height, a
tree planted near a power line may cause costly trimming and maintenance
problems for you and your cooperative. Look down to be sure there are
no electric cables buried where you plan to dig. If you’re not
sure, be safe and call Diggers Hotline at 1-800-242-8511.
Carefully selected and placed, a tree can provide your family with many
years of enjoyment without threatening the reliability of your electric
service. It can even help you conserve energy by providing shade in
the summer and protection in the winter.
Good tree placement and landscaping can enhance your property’s
value and prevent costly maintenance or damage to your home.
There are hundreds of species of trees that can be grown in Wisconsin.
While planning your springtime tree planting, you may want to contact
the University Extension Office in your county or your local nursery
for suggestions. Here are just a few common tree and bush varieties
that can be safely planted within 25 feet of overhead electrical power
lines:
|
AMERICAN HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY
|
FAST GROWING HIGH HEDGE
|
ARROWWOOD VIBURNUM
|
HARDY RUSSIAN OLIVE
|
FLOWERING CRAB (many types) |
TREE HYDRANGEA
|
TREE LILACS (many types)
|
GINNALA OR AMUR MAPLE
|
|
DWARF ALBERTA SPRUCE |
JUNIPERS (many types) |
EASTERN REDBUD
|
RUSSIAN OLIVE |
CORNELIAN CHERRY
|
MOUNTAIN ASH
|
ARBORVITAE
|
