With a little planning and proper maintenance, trees and power lines can safely co-exist. After all, both are completely necessary to facilitate daily life in our modern world.
DP&L is dedicated to providing reliable electric service, and above all, keeping customers safe. In an average year they trim trees along 2,100 miles of overhead distribution power lines. In an effort to take a more preventative approach, DP&L launched the Right Tree, Right Place program to educate customers how to select and plant trees near DP&L equipment.
In short you want to:
- Find the right tree: make sure you know how tall, wide and deep it will reach at maturity.
- Choose the right spot: you can increase the energy efficiency of your home by selecting a tree that shades your home in the summer. But you want to be sure it will be a safe distance from your home and nearby power lines when it reaches maturity.
- Put safety first: always call before you dig to avoid injury and damage to underground utilities. The Ohio Utility Protection Service offers this free service. Just call 8-1-1 2-10 days before your digging project begins.
If you have plans to plant a tree, their brochure can act as a great reference, including a list of common trees in the Miami Valley.
DP&L is actively looking for residential and business neighborhoods interested in free ornamental cherry trees, in partnership with Operation 1000 Cherry Tree Project. Get your neighbors on board and enroll on their website by Friday, October 9.
In addition, DP&L is teaming up with locally-owned nurseries and garden centers to give away free utility-friendly trees on Saturday, October 17. Visit their website for locations.
It's imperative to use forethought when planting a tree. The Right Tree, Right Place program will raise awareness about the importance of location when planting a tree, in order to keep your community beautiful and safe.
About the Author