As the ground thaws with the approach of spring, many homeowners are anxious to begin planting trees and yard ornamentals. But when deciding what to plant where, it’s crucial to keep in mind the proximity to utility lines, both above and below the ground.

The first step to take before doing any digging is to call 811. Utilities in Alabama, from power and water to gas and telecommunications providers, will respond to 811 calls by marking their underground lines that could be damaged by digging, trenching, boring, augering, or blasting.

Beyond determining where it is safe to dig, it’s vital to follow guidelines for planting anywhere near power lines to reduce the risk of damage and outages.

North Alabama Electric Cooperative (NAEC) operates and maintains about 2,000 miles of distribution lines in Jackson and Marshall counties, and all plants within an unsafe distance from power lines and within the right-of-way easement are subject to being trimmed or even cleared by electric crews.

Avoid wasting time and money by following these basic “safe zone” guidelines before planting any trees and shrubs:

• Tall Zone: Pine, maple, oak, spruce and other trees that can grow to 40 feet and beyond must be at least 50 feet from the maintenance zone.
• Medium Zone: Holly and ornamental cherry and other trees that will not exceed 40 feet tall should be at least 20 feet away from the maintenance zone.
• Low Zone: Dogwood, peach, redbud, Japanese maple and other trees that will not exceed 15 feet tall can be planted 10 feet from the maintenance zone.
• Maintenance Zone: Right-of-way easements extend a width of 30-40 feet depending on the type of utility line. No trees, vines, or shrubs should be planted within this zone.