Before you plant trees this spring, follow these safe planting practices to keep yourself and your family safe!

• Look up before you plant
• Call OKIE before you dig 800-522-6543 or 811
• Don’t plant trees or shrubs in power line right-of-ways
• Know the mature height and spread (see diagram, below)

Power lines are constructed on wooden poles with insulators and other hardware mounted near the top to support and suspend electrical conductors well above ground. The height of distribution power lines varies from 20 feet to 30 feet above ground to allow pedestrians and vehicles to pass under safely. Much of Central’s system operates at 14,400 volts, which makes power line clearance more critical. 

Proper clearance distances must be maintained between power lines and objects.  Wood is a conductor of electricity, and when a tree or its limbs come in contact with an electrical conductor the result is an extremely hazardous situation referred to as a “fault.” 

If a tree becomes energized, the resulting fault will affect the delivery and quality of electric service and may cause blinking lights or a power outage.  A person or animal can be electrocuted if they come in contact with an energized tree.

SAFE PLANTING DISTANCE

Determine safe distance planting by doing the following: 

 - Take 1/2 the mature spread of the tree (in feet)

 - Add 15 feet to that number

 - The total is the minimum safe planting distance from the center of the power line right-of-way.
If you have questions please give us a call,
800-375-2884!

Example: The tree you’ve selected has a 50 foot mature spread. Half of that is 25 feet. Add 15 feet, and the total is 40 feet. This is the minimum safe planting distance from the center of the power line right-of-way.