That small tree in your yard won’t stay small forever. Discover how one simple planting decision today can help protect your trees and keep your power reliable for decades.
Planting a tree is an investment in the future. It adds beauty to your property, provides shade, and can be enjoyed for generations. But before you pick the perfect spot, consider this: How big will that tree be in 20 years?
A tree that’s just six feet tall when you plant it could eventually grow to 40 feet or more, depending on the species. If you plant it too close to power lines, those growing branches can become a problem down the road.
Small Trees Can Create Big Problems
As trees mature, branches can grow into overhead power lines. When the wind blows, those branches may contact the lines, cause power blinks, or even extended outages. Over time, trees growing too close to electric facilities may require repeated trimming or, in some cases, removal.
That’s why Corridor Energy Cooperative encourages members to plan before they plant.
Choosing the right location now can help your tree grow naturally, reduce the need for future trimming, and protect reliable electric service for you and your neighbors.
One Simple Rule Makes a Big Difference
Before planting, find out how tall your tree will be at maturity—not just how tall it is today.
A good rule of thumb is to plant your tree at least as far away from overhead power lines as its expected mature height. For example, if a tree is expected to grow 40 feet tall, plant it at least 40 feet away from the lines.
Growing Together, Safely
Corridor Energy maintains more than 1,300 miles of overhead power lines throughout our service territory. We follow a maintenance cycle to help keep those lines safe and reliable. Because trees can grow significantly between trimming cycles, our crews must account for future growth, sometimes trimming branches that aren’t touching power lines today but could become a problem before our next visit.
Planting trees a safe distance from power lines not only helps prevent outages but also reduces future trimming and maintenance costs. Every tree we have to trim or remove adds to the cost of maintaining our electric system, and as a cooperative, those costs are shared by our members. By choosing the right location for your trees today, you can help protect electric reliability and keep costs down for everyone.
The tree you plant today can affect electric reliability for decades. Choose the right tree and plant it in the right place.
Planning to add a tree to your property? Remember to call 811 before you dig to have underground utilities located.