This holiday doesn’t call for a birthday cake or presents – just your green thumb.
Arbor Day is a national holiday that celebrates the important role trees have in our lives. Trees provide oxygen, help combat climate change, support wild life, and much more.
Celebrate today by caring for, nurturing, and planting your own trees. Before you start digging, it’s important to understand the guidelines of proper tree planting.
ComEd recommends following Arbor Day Foundation’s “The Right Tree in the Right Place” guidelines which are incorporated in The Power of Smart Planting — a guide to planting near power lines provided by ComEd and the Morton Arboretum. Highlights include:
- Any trees planted within 20 feet on either side of pole-to-pole power lines should have a mature height of less than 25 feet.
- Tall growing trees should be planted 50 feet from power lines.
- There are a variety of trees and shrubs with heights of less than 25 feet which are compatible for planting under electric distribution lines. Note that specific conditions at each site should be considered, including the height of the power lines at the site.
- Trees should be placed so that, as they mature, they will not grow into contact with nearby power lines.
- In some cases, when a buffer between properties is desired, shrubs are a better solution than trees. But don’t plant too close to utility poles or equipment, as they can become an obstruction for service crews that need to access ComEd equipment.
- Be safe! You are required by Illinois law to call 811 to locate natural gas, electric, and telephone lines before you dig–and that includes when planting a tree.
Now the fun part! Trees planted today are an investment in the future. These tips can ensure healthy tree growth while improving the reliability of electric service to your home by preventing future electrical interruptions. Learn more here.
This publication contains general guidelines and is applicable only to overhead local distribution lines on wood poles. Neither ComEd nor the Morton Arboretum can assume any responsibility for particular vegetation you plant. Please obey all codes and act safely whenever you are near electric lines.
