Safety Sense > Planting & Trimming Trees

First and foremost, don't plant trees, shrubs or bushes under or near electric lines.

Tiny trees turn into big trees whose branches can touch electric lines. Trees easily conduct electricity, putting tree-climbing, kite-flying children at risk of injury.

You can prevent your newly planted trees from growing into the power lines by simply looking up. The key is to plant small, medium, or large trees the appropriate distance from the power lines so they are less likely to grow into the lines. Small variety trees need to be planted at least 20 feet away from power lines, medium variety trees at least 35 feet away, and large variety trees at least 45 feet away from power lines. Here is a list of some of the trees native to East Texas categorized by height classification.

SMALL: dogwood, redbud, yaupon, crepe myrtle, and various fruit and ornamental trees.

MEDIUM: eastern red cedar, American holly, sassafras, Arizona ash, white ash, catalpa, common persimmon, boxelder, red maple, silver maple, silver poplar and mimosa.

LARGE: pecan, hackberry, green ash, black walnut, sweetgum, tulip poplar, southern magnolia, slash pine, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, sycamore, water oak, pin oak, red oak, live oak, weeping willow and American elm.

It's also important to call the Co-op before you attempt to cut or trim trees near power lines. Trying to trim a tree that touches a power line is risky. Removing a tree whose branches are mingled with a line makes it possible for the line to topple down as well.

And last but not least, call us before you dig the hole to plant a tree or shrub. Contact Sam Houston Electric Cooperative to be sure you're not risking contact with underground power lines.