Plant the right tree in the right place

It’s a great time to plant trees and shrubs, but before you do, take a look at the electric equipment around your home and think about how your landscaping will grow.

Look up before you plant. Trees are a leading cause of power outages. Before choosing a location, consider the tree’s mature height and keep it a safe distance from overhead power lines. The right tree in the right place can provide years of beauty, shade, and energy savings without interfering with electric service.

Keep transformers clear. Plant shrubs and other landscaping at least 10 feet away from transformers so SMECO crews can safely access the equipment when repairs are needed.

Pick the right tree and location. Consider the tree’s mature size, root growth, sunlight, drainage, and proximity to your home, gardens, and neighboring properties.

Thoughtful placement can enhance your property and help prevent future maintenance problems.

When carefully selected and placed, a tree can provide your family with many years of enjoyment without threatening your electric service.

Before you dig, call 811. Contact Miss Utility before planting a tree or shrub, starting a garden, or installing a fence. Underground utilities will be marked so you can dig safely.

If you have questions, call SMECO or visit smeco.coop/safeplanting.

Always call 811 before you dig to locate buried utility lines. SMECO will mark the location of underground power lines on your property.