where toplant,what howtoplant–and make therightdecisionsaboutplantingtrees– generating electricity. with othervaluableservicesthatmaybeunrelated to a corporateresponsibilitytoprovideourcustomers at thelowestcostpossible.We alsobelievewehave providing safeandreliableenergytoourcustomers A For example,wewanttohelpourcustomers t AlabamaPower, weareresponsiblefor as theyrelatetoAlabama Powerrights-of-way. brochure helpsyouwithyourtree-plantingdecisions what aDistributionROWmaylooklike.We hopethis businesses. Theimageaboveisoneexampleof means bywhichwedeliverenergytohomesand are commonplaceinourcommunitiesandthe Distribution andTransmission Rights-of-Way (ROWs) create attractivelandscapesinourcommunities. anything elserelatedtopreservingyourtrees Right Tree Plantin the the Right Place Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place Plant taller trees away from PlantingPlanting GuideGuide overhead utility lines
Always Consider the Ultimate Mature Size When Planning
10 years
6 years
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Distribution Power exceed a mature height of 15’ Trees with large crowns planted Line may be planted in this zone. too close to the power lines will Rights Of Way When choosing a location to eventually require extensive side plant remember that no trees trimming. This may detract from Zone 1 - Wire Zone: should be planted within 15’ of the aesthetics of the tree. Planting any vegetation directly the poles or structures. under distribution power lines For information on tree should be kept to a minimum. Zone 3 - Medium Growth and shrub planting near Trees should never be planted Zone: distribution lines please call directly under the power lines. Careful consideration should be Alabama Power Contract Shrubs and flowers that do not given to trees planted adjacent Services (205) 257-6868 and exceed a mature height of 10 to distribution line rights of way. ask to speak to someone feet may be planted in this zone Remember, when you plant a in Distribution Vegetation as long as access along the tree seedling it may appear a Management. power line is not blocked. long way from the power line; but as the tree grows to maturity Zone 2 - Low Growth Zone: the crown of the tree will likely This zone is generally 5’ to 15’ spread 20 to 30 feet in every away from the center of the direction from where you have distribution line. Low growing dug the hole. ornamental trees that do not Remember - The Right Tree in The Right Place
etting trees started correctly is critical to long tree life, easy Recommended Planting G care and low-cost maintenance. Trees with limited rooting areas Zone 1, 2 & 3 will need more care and have a shorter life span than trees with Azalea Rhododendron spp. Forsythia Forsythis spp. large soil areas in which to grow. Holly, Chinese Ilex cornuta Hydrangea Hydrangea spp. The diameter of the planting hole should be at least three times the Olive, Tea Osmanthus fortunea spp. diameter of the root ball. The depth should be measured to ensure Zone 2 & 3 Apricot, Japanese Prunus mume the tree is planted at slightly above ground level and at the same Bottlebrush Buckeye Aesulus parviflora depth at which it grew in the nursery. All bindings, ties, wires, Boxwood, Common Buxus sempervirens burlap or other wrapping should be removed before planting. Camellia Camellia spp. Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia spp. When planting, please consider where the tree will be located in Fringe Tree Chionanthus viginicus Dogwood Cornus spp. relation to overhead and underground utility lines. (The location Firethorn, Formosa Pyracantha koidsumii of these lines should determine the kind of tree to plant and site Holly, Burford Ilex cornuta “Burford” Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Ilex aquifolium x ilex selection.) The newly planted tree must have enough space away cornuta from power lines and in an area large enough to accommodate Holly, Yaupon ilex vomitoria the canopy and root system of the mature size. Maple, Japanese Dwarf Acer palmatum Olive, Fragrant Osmanthus fragrans Planting tall growing trees near power lines will ultimately Olive, Holly Tea Osmanthus herterophyllus Pomegranate Punica granatum require pruning to maintain safe clearance from the wires. Trees Seviceberry Amelanchier spp. toppling into overhead power lines can become a public safety Viburnum Viburnum spp. Waxmyrtle Myrica spp. hazard and disrupt your electric service. Therefore it is best not to Winged Euonymus Euonymus alatus plant tall-growing trees near power lines. Witchhazel Hamamelis spp. Zone 3 You should not attempt to trim any vegetation growing near or on Baldcypress Taxodium distichum Blackgum Nyssa sylvatica any overhead power lines. Only specially trained line-clearing Loblolly pine Pinus teada professionals should work around power lines. Red maple Acer rubrum Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Willow Oak Quercus phellos Primary Yellow-poplar Liriodendron tulipifera Conductors
Electric lines usually are Service to house located at the top of the pole, farthest from the ground. Tilled Soil Area Cable TV and telephone lines Root Ball Phone & run closer to the ground, Normal Soil Level Cable TV 45o below power lines.
Make sure there are no buried wires Compacted Pedestal for Support before digging in the spot for your new tree. Dig planting holes so the tree sits at its normal level in the soil. Holes should have highly slanted sides. The root ball should protrude above the soil level. Alabama Power Company Transmission Rights-of-Way
Alabama Power Company manages vegetation on its 100,000 plus acres of transmission rights-of-way to ensure the public safety and reliability of its transmission system. Integrated vegetation management (IVM) is a process that balances the use of mechanical, chemical, cultural and biological treatments to establish and maintain a vegetative cover type that is compatible with the environment. Alabama Power Company’s Transmission vegetation management program utilizes IVM to control vegetation growing on the ground floor as well as along the sides and adjacent to the right of way.
Greater distances are required between vegetation and transmission lines because of the higher voltages and greater movement of conductors in transmission lines. If a tree makes contact with a transmission line, hazardous electric current is injected into the ground that can travel across local underground cables and pipes causing severe damage to public and private property.
For more detailed information regarding Alabama Power Company’s Transmission Vegetation Management Program including information on what can be planted on a transmission line right of way please contact Alabama Power Contract Services and ask to speak to someone in Transmission Vegetation Management.
Transformers for Customers are asked to Underground Utilities call the Alabama One Call - (dial 811 or 1-800-292-8525) before digging We need room to work safely on this device. Please plant in an area with underground services. shrubs at least 10 feet away Within 2 full business days of notice a from the front 3' and 3 feet from other sides. 3' utility representative will inspect the Obstructions may be damaged 10' property to locate and mark or removed during service restoration or maintenance. underground Alabama Power lines. There is no charge for this service.
For more information, contact the organizations below.
Alabama Urban Forest Council Alabama Vegetation Management Society www.aufa.org www.avmsonline.org International Society of Arboriculture Alabama Power Contract Services www.isa-arbor.com 205-257-6868 National Arbor Day Foundation Alabama One Call www.arborday.org 811 or 1-800-292-8525 Form 5-6198 Ed 2/10