University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Forestry, Trees, and Timber UT Extension Publications 7-2003 SP611 Trees to Plant under Power Lines The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexfores Part of the Plant Sciences Commons Recommended Citation "SP611 Trees to Plant under Power Lines," The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, SP 611 - 12M - 7/03 R12-4910-034-004-04, https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexfores/56 The publications in this collection represent the historical publishing record of the UT Agricultural Experiment Station and do not necessarily reflect current scientific knowledge or ecommendations.r Current information about UT Ag Research can be found at the UT Ag Research website. This Trees for Tennessee Landscapes - Choosing the Right Tree is brought to you for free and open access by the UT Extension Publications at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Forestry, Trees, and Timber by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Agricultural Extension Service The University of Tennessee SP 611 Trees to Plant under Power Lines Tom Simpson Wayne K. Clatterbuck Regional Urban Forester Associate Professor Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Forestry Division Serious conflicts often develop between utilities The following table lists suitable tree species for plant- and trees. Trees that grow into electric wires pose serious ing near power lines. Each utility may have differ- safety issues and often result in less reliable service. Util- ent requirements for its system. Contact the com- ity companies spend more than $1 billion annually for tree pany if you have any doubt as to its requirements. pruning, passing this cost on to the consumer. In addition, trees are often disÞ gured by improper pruning and killed or seriously injured by excavation for underground wires and pipes. Understanding the growth habits of trees and plant- ing the proper species for the location can reduce many of these problems. Any tree planting should include an as- Clatterbuck sessment of space and height restrictions before planting. Underground utilities or building foundation limitations should also be assessed before the tree is placed in the Wayne K. ground. Trees may grow to their full potential and future utility and safety issues will be greatly reduced by selecting compatible trees and positioning them away from utilities. Photo Credit: Existing tree/utility conß icts should be considered and the trees replaced where feasible. Figure 1. Pin oaks can grow greater than 70 feet in height and Many local utilities already have a tree-replace- are a poor choice for planting under utility lines. ment program for problem trees. Some utilities will plant the replacement trees, while others may issue nursery vouch- ers for homeowners to select their own replacement trees. Contact your local utility company to discover its method of replacement. When selecting trees to plant under or near utility lines, consider the type of line. Electric lines are commonly installed overhead and are often non-insulated. Service interruption results when branches contact the wires or when trees fall through the wires. No tree that exceeds 25 feet at maturity should be Clatterbuck planted under these wires. In addition, trees that mature at greater heights should be spaced at least 25 feet horizontally from the closest wire. Telephone and cable TV lines are Wayne K. typically insulated and distribute much lower voltages but require the same level of planning as electric wires. Trees planted close to underground lines or water lines often cause Photo Credit: major root system problems and are subject to serious injury Figure 2. Redbud mature at less than 25 feet and are when repairs to these lines are performed. recommended for planting under utility lines. References Recommendations Clatterbuck, Wayne K. 2000. Post-planting tree care: fallacies and 1. Assess area to be planted both above and below ground. recommendations. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service SP 574. Knoxville. 2. Select a tree of small stature that matures at a height less than 25 feet. Dirr, Michael A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their identiÞ cation, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and 3. Consider existing utility and gas lines above and below uses. 5th ed. Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, IL. ground. 4. Contact your utility about recommended species of trees to Gerhold, Henry D., et al. 1993. Street Tree Factsheets. The plant and tree planting programs. Pennsylvania State University, School of Forestry Resources, University Park, PA. Recommended Trees For Planting Under Utility Lines. Botanical Name Common Name Height Note Acer ginnala Amur maple 15-20 ft Small tree native to China Acer palmatum Japanese maple 15-25 ft Numerous varieties, colors, forms Acer tataricum Tatarian maple 15-20 ft B u s h y , s p r e a d i n g t r e e Amelanchier spp. Serviceberries 15-25 ft M a n y v a r i eties and hybrids; a few reach 30 ft Cercis canadensis Eastern redbud 20-25 ft S h o w y ß owers, varieties come in many colors Chionanthus virginicus White fringetree 12-20 ft White, drooping ß owers. Native Cornus ß orida Flowering dogwood 20-25 ft White ß owers, varieties come in different colors Cornus kousa Kousa dogwood 20-25 ft W h i t e ß owers, varieties come in different colors Cotinus coggygria Common smoketree 10-15 ft Avoid the American smoketree, which grows to 30 feet Crataegus spp. Hawthorns 15-25 ft Av o i d Wa s h i n g t o n h a wthorn, which grows to 35 feet Hamamelis spp. Witchhazel 15-20 ft Many varieties & cultivars; common witchhazel grows to 30 feet Ilex x attenuata Foster holly 10-15 ft An evergreen, used as a barrier in landscapes Koelreuteria paniculata Golden raintree 20-25 ft Yellow ß owers in late spring, can grow to 35 feet in some locations Lagerstroemia spp. Crape myrtle 15-25 ft Many varieties & cultivars. Most grow under 25 feet in TN. Avoid the "tree" types Magnolia x soulangiana Saucer magnolia 20-30 ft Grows smaller than 30 feet in TN. Many varieties, but bold ß owers are susceptible to late freeze Magnolia stellata Star magnolia 10-20 ft Delicate, white ß owers. Attractive landscape tree Malus sp. Flowering crabapples 20-25 ft M a n y o r n a m e n t a l varieties, all colors of ß owers, small fruit that some consider messy. Good wildlife tree Syringa vulgaris Common lilac 10-20 ft Small tree or large shrub SP 611 - 12M - 7/03 R12-4910-034-004-04 The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Agricultural Extension Service Charles L. Norman, Dean Printing for this publication was funded by the USDA Forest Service through a grant with the Tennessee De part ment of Ag ri - cul ture, Division of Forestry. The Trees for Tennessee Landscapes series is sponsored by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Coun cil. ES S T S E R NN SEE O R E VI CE E F T FORESTRY D D E E E E S R U R P P A U A T U R T RTM ICUL T M U L ENT OF AGR E N I C T O F A G R.