Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts
Proper tree placement helps avoid conflicts with overhead power lines and underground utilities. When planting trees around your home, consider their mature height:
- Tall trees (60 feet/20 meters): Plant well away from overhead power lines in the "Tall Zone"
- Medium trees (40 feet/12 meters): Plant at least 50 feet (15 meters) from your home in the "Medium Zone"
- Low trees (20 feet/6 meters or less): Can be planted closer to the street, maintaining 15 feet (4.5 meters) from utility lines in the "Low Zone"
Before planting, remember that underground utility lines may run beneath your lawn. Always call 811 before you dig to have utilities marked.
Tree Trimming and Removal
Proper clearance may require our crews to trim, mow, or remove trees on or around your property. The following are the most common ways the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power trims for safety.
Full Removal
A tree that cannot be trimmed in any of the below manners will need to be removed altogether.
"L" Trimming
Branches are removed from a quarter of the tree, creating an L-shaped silhouette to maintain clearance from nearby power lines.
Top Trimming
The upper portion of the tree's canopy is trimmed to prevent branches from growing into overhead power lines.
"V" Trimming
Branches are cleared from the center of the tree, creating a V-shaped gap that allows power lines to pass safely through the middle.
Side Trimming
Branches are removed from a full side of the tree to create clearance from power lines running alongside it.
Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts
Before digging, always call MISS DIG 8-1-1 to have underground utility lines marked to avoid accidental injury. Consider the mature height of trees before planting. A mature height of 20 feet or less is recommended when planting in the low zone, which is 15 feet on either side of utility wires. Do not plant near underground utility services. Roots can grow and interfere with underground pipes, cables and wires. Future repairs to these facilities could also damage the health and beauty of nearby plants and trees.
Safe Digging Starts Here – Click Here to request Underground Utility Markings.
MISS DIG 811 provides this free service to homeowners, excavators, municipalities and utility companies via our web based locate requests- elocate.missdig.org, or by placing a toll free call to 811 or 800-482-7171. The mission of MISS DIG System, Inc. is to safeguard the public, environment, property, and utility infrastructures and promote utility damage prevention through a quality, cost-effective process for our customers.
Excavators, landscapers, farmers, homeowners and contractors can contact us 7 days a week- 24 hours a day!
