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Trees Under Utility Lines
Criteria for Selecting Trees
Suggested Tree List
Planting trees directly under overhead utility wires can often become
a serious problem as the trees grow to maturity. Many power failures
are caused by tree limbs breaking off and becoming entangled in the power
lines. Trees that have grown up into power lines have the potential
to become indirect conductors of electricity, making them harmful or even
fatal if they come into contact with people.
Should you have to plant trees under utility wires, we suggest that you visit BC Hydro’s website, as well as consult your local nursery before choosing a tree.
Criteria for Selecting Trees To Plant Under
Utility Lines
A few criteria to consider when choosing trees to plant under power lines
are:
- attractiveness and appropriateness for city neighbourhoods,
- a height under 35 feet at maturity,
- low maintenance requirements,
- no serious insect or disease problems, and
- local availability.
Check with your nursery or arborist and discuss different options, such
as planting shrubs, for under utility lines.
A Few Suggested Trees For Planting Under Utility
Lines
The following trees, although
by no means a complete list, were chosen according to the above criteria:
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Dogwood
- Cornus florida 'rubra'- A flat topped crown; as
wide as high at maturity; horizontal branches bear a profusion of
5 cm wide pink to red bracts; with notched tips; in May leaves bright
green turning to wine red in fall.
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Average height: 25 feet |
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Eastern
Redbud - Cercis canadensis- Small divided
crown gives it a round to somewhat flat-topped crown; leaves up
to 10 cm across with prominent veins; new growth flushes reddish-purple,
giving way to green during the summer and rich yellow in the fall;
deep rose flower clusters on old wood break before leaf buds open.
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Average height: 25 feet |
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Flowering
Ash - Fraxinus ornus- Mature height 25-30
feet tall, equally as wide giving it a round top; leaves luxuriant
medium green, turning to lavender in fall; extremely fragrant white
fluffy flowers.
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Average height: 25-30 feet |
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Flower
Pear - Pyrus calleryanna- Strong pyramidal
habit with spreading lower branches; slender green glossy leaves
giving way to striking wine red fall colour; produces white flowers
in spring.
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Average height: 30 feet |
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Golden
Rain Tree - Koelreuteria paniculata- Slightly
round crown with flat top in age; compound, lobed leaves bear long
clusters of golden flowers in summer; flowers resemble small Japanese
paper lanterns.
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Average height: 30 feet |
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Japanese
Snowbell - Styrax japonica- Rounded
crown with long horizontal branches; dark green leaves with brilliant
yellow to red fall color; white bell-shaped flowers hanging in clusters.
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Average height: 30 feet |
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Magnolia
- many species- Generally rounded crown with most species,
some pyramidal shaped; spring blooming, with white to purple flowers;
evergreen and deciduous species; fragrent.
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Average height: 25-30 feet |
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Maples
- Acer circinatun, Acer griseum, Acer palmatum-
Most between 20-30 feet at maturity; green leaves turning to various
shades of bright red in fall; some species (Paperbark Maple) have
beautiful peeling bark; some species (Japanese Maples) are good
for partial shade.
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Average height: 20-30 feet |
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Serviceberry
- Amelanchier canadensis- Upright, spreading crown
of no more than 30 feet, with 20 foot spread; deep green leaves
giving way to yellow-red fall color; drooping white flowers with
dark blue fruits.
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Average height: 30 feet |
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Silk
Tree - Albizia julibrissin- Vase shaped
crown, eventually developing a flat top flowers are pink, numerous
and thread-like; leaves are compound, pinnate with 40-60 leaflets
requiring little fall clean up; no fall color, as leaves drop with
first frost.
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Average height: 25 feet |
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