GAHANNA, Ohio — As spring blossoms, many are outside, kickstarting landscaping projects for the year. AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power company, invites customers to engage in thoughtful planning before planting around power lines.

One tree branch making contact with a power line can knock out electricity to hundreds or even thousands of customers, so it’s important to plan before you plant.

“Making the commitment to plant a tree is a big commitment. That tree will be enjoyed by neighbors and future generations, so we ask our customers to look up and look around before planting,” said AEP Ohio Distribution Forestry Manager Dale Hopkins. “Our foresters are happy to come out and look at the space you have available to give suggestions on the best types of trees that won’t interfere with our powerlines, allowing the natural beauty of the tree to shine through.”

Here are some tree planting tips from the forestry team to keep in mind.

Before Planting

¯ Height Considerations: Knowing the potential height of any trees you plan to plant will help ensure that branches will be clear of power lines once the tree is fully grown.

Small trees like redbud, dogwood and crabapple should be planted 10-25 feet away from power lines.

Medium trees like Washington hawthorn and golden rain trees should be planted 25-50 feet away from overhead lines.

Tall trees like maple, oak, spruce and pine, should be planted more than 50 feet away from power lines.

¯ Canopy Width: Consider how wide the tree might become once the branches are fully grown.

Tree branches must remain at least 10 feet away from power lines.

Only trees with a small canopy spread, such as dogwood or crabapple, should be planted within 10 feet of power lines.

¯ Underground Utilities: Before planting, it’s important to check for underground utility lines to avoid potential safety hazards.

Planting

¯ Growth Rate: Consider how fast the tree will grow.

Trees that grow slowly, like spruce, are sturdier and have a longer lifespan compared to fast-growing trees.

¯ Tree Form or Shape: Assess the amount of space you have.

For tighter areas, opt for trees with a columnar shape.

If your goal is to create a shaded area, select trees with a round or V-shaped canopy.

If you have questions, AEP Ohio can connect you with a forester.