Where You Plant Matters

• These pictures show: "The Wrong Tree in the Wrong Place"

• Our goal is to teach you to plant: "The Right Tree in the Right Place"

• The branches and roots of trees are very strong and can cause hazardous and expensive problems

• Only small trees (25 ft. or less at maturity) should be planted under or near overhead power lines to avoid potentially hazardous situations and power interruptions

• When planting near your home's foundation or other underground structures
  • Plant small (25 ft. or less) and medium (25 to 40 ft.) trees a minimum of 10 ft. from walls
  • Plant large (40 ft. or more) trees a minimum of 15 ft. from walls

• Plant trees a minimum of 5 ft. from hardscape (sidewalks, fences, driveway, patio, pool, etc.) to avoid inadequate growing space and tree roots causing property damage

• Newly planted trees also need a minimum of 5 ft. from any underground infrastructures, such as sewer, gas, water, sprinkler, and cable television line

Tree Choices

The type of tree you use for shade also makes a difference. There are two main types to consider:

Evergreen trees , which keep their leaves year-round. Evergreens are best planted on the east and west sides of the home to provide shade. They don't work well on the south side of the home because their year-round cover of leaves will interfere with natural solar heating in the winter.

Deciduous trees , which lose their leaves, usually in the fall and winter months. Deciduous trees are best planted on the east, west and particularly the south sides of the home to create shade and let in winter sun, and also on the east and west sides to provide summer shade.