Spring is a great time to add life to your landscaping, but a tree is a long-term commitment. Choosing the right one today can help prevent costly maintenance and even power outages for you and your neighbors tomorrow. Use this guide to pick the perfect tree for your space.
Think Like an Arborist
Before you fall in love with a sapling, remember that it won’t stay that size forever. Don’t be afraid to ask the nursery pros for help when shopping to make sure your favorite tree is a good fit. Here are a few key questions to help you find the best option for your yard.
- Ask: How tall and wide will this be in 20 years?
Why it matters: You need to ensure the “mature” canopy stays at least 10 feet away from any power lines or your house. - Ask: Is this a slow-growing species with strong wood?
Why it matters: Fast growers often have brittle wood that snaps easily during Ohio’s wind and ice storms. Slow and steady is safer for your home and the power grid. - Ask: How aggressive are the roots?
Why it matters: You want to make sure the roots won’t interfere with your driveway, foundation, sidewalks or underground utility lines.
Planting Zones
When planning for new landscaping additions, match your planting spot to the appropriate growth zone if power lines are nearby. Here are a few tips:
- The Low Zone
When planting within 15 feet of power lines is unavoidable, stick to trees that stay under 20 feet tall when full-grown. - The Medium Zone
If a tree will be between 25-50 feet tall when fully grown, plant it at least 20 feet away from power lines. - The Tall Zone (50+ ft from lines):
For trees that will be 40 feet or taller when fully grown, they need to be planted at least 50 feet or more away from overhead power lines.
Remember: Call 811 at least 48 hours before you begin any digging project.
Save While You Shade
You can save energy and stay comfortable in your home by strategically planting trees, shrubs and other plants for shade.
- Summer Cooling: Plant tall, leafy trees to the south of your home for maximum roof shading, and shorter trees to the west to shade from the afternoon sun.
- Winter Windbreak: Plant dense evergreen trees and shrubs to the north and northwest of your home to protect it from wind.
- Insulate with Shrubs: Planting shrubs or vines near your house creates dead air spaces that can help insulate your home. Just be sure to leave at least 1 foot of space between the full-grown plants and your walls.
Find more ways to save at AEPOhio.com/Save.
Protecting Your Power
Trees are a beautiful part of any landscape, but they are also one of the top causes of power outages. To keep your community’s power flowing, AEP Ohio’s forestry team works year-round to inspect and trim trees near our lines and equipment. This proactive approach has reduced tree-related outages by 93% since 2009. Learn more at AEPOhio.com/Trees.
Important Safety Reminder
You should never attempt to cut back or remove trees near power lines — serious injury or even death can occur. We use only trained and licensed professionals to clear trees away from our power lines.
