Tree Planting Tips
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| The right kind of tree planted in the right location can beautify an area and help lower future home heating and cooling bills. Careful positioning of a newly planted tree away from power lines will help reduce power outages and the need for costly tree trimming or removal as the trees mature. |
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Keeping Cool Air In: A deciduous tree (one that produces leaves in the spring) planted to provide maximum shade on your home during the hot summer months can help ease the load on your air conditioner and substantially reduce operating costs. The list of popular shade trees includes the maple, oak, hackberry and sycamore. Such trees lose their leaves in the fall, allowing the sun to help warm your home during the winter months.
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Keeping Cold Air Out: Evergreen trees make ideal windbreaks. Planted in the right place, they can effectively protect your home from the most blustery winter wind, shield outside work areas, and help reduce your heating costs. Windbreaks may be planted in a straight row or in a semi-circular pattern on the upwind side of the house to block prevailing winds.
If you're planning to plant trees, the OPPD Forestry Department can help you select the right tree and location. Please contact the Forestry Department at 536-4131 in Omaha, or call your local OPPD office.
(Another good resource for learning about planting the right tree in the right location is the Right Tree Handbook, which is available on the Minnesota Power web site.)
What Trees to Plant and Where
Small Trees
(can be planted adjacent to power lines)
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Tree Type
Dwarf Fruit Trees
Flowering Crab
* Red Bud
Purple Leaf Plum
* Hawthorn
Upright Juniper
Amur Maple
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Mature height in feet
20 - 25
10 - 25
20
20
15 - 25
10 - 20
15 - 20
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Medium Trees
(plant no closer than 30 feet horizontally to power lines)
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Tree Type
Russian Olive
Bradford Pear
Mountain Ash
Amur Cork Tree
Black Hills Spruce
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Mature height in feet
20 - 30
25 - 35
20 - 30
20 - 30
30 - 45
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Large Trees
(plant no closer than 50 feet horizontally to power lines)
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Tree Type
* Maple
* Oak
* Hackberry
* Sycamore
* Cottonwood
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Mature height in feet
50 - 70
50 - 70
60 - 70
70 - 80
70 - 80
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* Denotes Native Nebraska Trees
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Shrubs
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| Like trees, shrubs add color and variety to landscaping. Planted as a hedge, shrubs act as a noise barrier as well as a fence. Shrubs are also a primary food source and habitat for wildlife. The following shrubs reach mature heights of 8 to 15 feet and can be safely planted under power lines: * American Plum, Buckthorn , * Chokecherry, Coralberry , Cotoneaster , Dogwood , Elderberry , Firethorn , Honeysuckle, Snowberry , * Sumac, Viburnum (Cranberry) . |
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* Denotes Native Nebraska Shrubs
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Diggers Hot Line
State law requires you to have underground utilities located before beginning any digging project. When planting trees, be sure to call the Diggers Hotline to have underground utility lines located and marked.
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DIGGERS HOTLINE OF NEBRASKA
Call Before You Dig . . . It's The Law
Statewide 1-800-331-5666
Metro Omaha 344-3565
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