A We Energies guide to planting the right tree in the right place

AWeEnergies guide to planting the right tree in the right place

• filter sediments and chemicals out of groundwater

• provide privacy

• reduce noise pollution

• improve air quality

• encourage wildlife diversity

Where should I plant my trees?Once you determine why you want to plant trees, you canchoose the location. While well-placed trees can help conserveenergy and add to the appearance of your home, a tree in thewrong place can be harmful. Remember, the small tree you planttoday will increase in size over many years.

Make sure you give the tree adequate room to grow.Never plant trees with a mature growth height of greater than25 feet directly below overhead power lines. Trees reaching 25to 40 feet in height should be planted at least 30 feet frompower lines. And, trees growing to over 40 feet tall should belocated a minimum of 50 feet from power lines.

Avoid planting trees too close to a drivewayor sidewalk. Large tree roots can lift andbreak pavement, creating hazards and

additional repair costs. Trees withwidespread or low-hanging branches

can scratch cars or obstruct a driver’s view.

Be aware of your property boundaries and surroundings.Utility workers need space to access meters and pad-mountedelectrical transformers on your property. When planting, plan foradequate room around these locations to ensure the delivery ofefficient service. We recommend at least a 10-foot clearance infront of transformers and a 3-foot clearance around the sidesand rear.

Always check with your local utilities on the location ofunderground services before you start planting, as many utilityfacilities are buried underground. Call to have your propertymarked for underground utilities at least three working daysbefore you plan to dig. This free service can help you stay safeand avoid costly damage to buried utilities.

Diggers Hotline (Wisconsin)800-242-8511 or 811

Miss Dig (Michigan)800-482-7171 or 811

We Energies and Asplundh Tree ExpertCo. work together to provide safe,

reliable electric service. Asplundh performs required tree-trimming services for We Energies. Asplundh crews areprofessionally trained to recognize hazardous situations and useproper pruning techniques to correct those situations.

From splendid beauty to energy conservation, trees are a landscape investment for a lifetime. Simply by planting trees, you can:

• Create an enjoyable place for outdoor living

• Reduce your heating and cooling costs

• Enjoy clean, fresh air

• Increase the value of your property

Selecting the right tree for the right location helps you achievelong-term benefits from your investment. Planning is the key toreaching your landscaping goals. Trees planted in the wrongplace can cause property damage and become a nuisance oreven a hazard as they mature.

One of the most important things to consider when plantingtrees is the location of above- and below-ground utility lines.Problems occur when trees grow too close to power lines.During storms, trees and branches can fall and knock downenergized power lines. This can cause electrical outages, fires and shock hazards.

You can help prevent these dangerous situations, and preventthe heartache of losing part or all of a treasured tree, bychoosing tree-planting locations carefully. From planning toplanting, this brochure will help you determine which trees toplant and where to plant them.

Why plant trees?

Trees have many benefits. Consider the following when makingyour planting decisions:

Trees can decrease your energy cost.

By planting the right tree in the rightplace, you can reduce your energy bill by as much as 30 percent.

Trees provide summer relief.

Trees such as Maple, Linden or Honey Locust placed along thesouth, southwest or west sides of a building provide excellentshade from the summer sun. The temperature under a shadetree can be up to 10 degrees cooler than out in the open. Thiscooling can be passed along to the interior of your house. Plant shade trees about 15 feet away from your house formaximum benefit.

Trees provide winter help.

Windbreaks of evergreen trees such as Spruce or Pine can cutdown on the chilling winter wind that can cool your house. Toreduce winter heating costs, consider planting a row ofevergreens along the windward side of your house to deflectprevailing winds. Planting shrubs on the windward side also willhelp eliminate wind and control snow drifts.

Trees can increase your property value.

Trees are worth much more than just the value of their wood.Studies done by the U.S. Forest Service have shown that trees canincrease the value of residential property by as much as 25 percent.Also, properties with trees tend to sell faster than those with feweror no trees. Trees can create a sense of relaxation and serenity thatcan’t be measured in dollars.

Trees have a positive environmental impact.

Trees and other plants help to:

• slow surface water runoff

• reduce soil erosion

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American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum) 10-12’ 8-10’ Moderate White flower clusters. Translucent red fruit often used in jelly or jam. Bright red to maroon fall color. Tolerates wet sites and full to partial shade.

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Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago) 10-15’ 8-10’ Moderate White flowers bloom in spring. Fruit turns from blue to black in fall. Fall color varies from orange to red. Tolerant to a wide variety of soil conditions. Grows in sun or shade.

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.nworc talf dna ediw ,sknurt elpitlum ot elgniS.ytirutam ta nworb nrut steltun debbir llams fo sretsulCetaredom ot wolS’52-51’52-51 hceeB eulB ,doowelcsuM ,maebnroH naciremA(Carpinus caroliniana) Orange to deep red fall color. Hard wood. Grows best in full sun but tolerates light shade.

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efildliw ot evitcartta senoc hcni-21 llamSetaredoM'52-02’07-05)muhcitsid miudoxaT( sserpycdlaB Pyramidal upright shape. Tolerant of urban soils and moisture conditions. Deciduous conifer with bronzy fall color. Prefers full sun.

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Freeman Maple (Acer x Freemanii) 50-60’ 35-45’ .Hp rehgih htiw slios ot tnareloT .roloc llaf der thgirB.elbaliava yteirav sseldeeStsaFRequires full sun to partial shade. Naturally occurring hybrid.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) 70-80' 70-80' Slow to moderate Large capped acorns attractive to wildlife. Very long lived and hardy tree once established. Very tolerant of urban soils and shows resistance to Oak Wilt. Prefers full sun.

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What trees should I plant?

There are many species of trees available to plant in your yard. We have put together a chart that describes a number of different trees suitable for your area. Although this list is not all-inclusive, it will serve as a good reference and starting point for choosing your tree.

For more details on various tree species, consult your local nursery, arborist or municipal forester. You can find a list of Wisconsin’s certified arborists at the Wisconsin Arborist Association’s website: www.waa-isa.org, then click on “Certified Arborists”.

stnemmoCdees/tiurf/rewolFetar htworGytirutam tA)eman cifitneicS( eman nommoCheight spread

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.nus lluf ni tseb sworG .lios yrd setareloT .roloc llaf deR.retniw tuohguorht syats remmus ni tiurf deRtsaF’01-8’21-8)arbalg s

.edahs ot nus lluf ni sworG .setis deniard ylroop ot tnarelotnI .roloc llaf der ro knip thgirB.pit degniw evah sgiwTetaredoM’21-01’21-8)atala sum

American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum) 10-12’ 8-10’ Moderate White flower clusters. Translucent red fruit often used in jelly or jam. Bright red to maroon fall color. Tolerates wet sites and full to partial shade.

.nus lluf seriuqeR .sepyt lios fo yteirav ediw a ot elbatpadA .gnirps ni ylno roloC .yaM ni smoolB.elprup ot knip ot etihw morf roloc ni yrav srewolf tnargarf ylhgiHetaredoM’21-01’21-01)siragluv ag

Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago) 10-15’ 8-10’ Moderate White flowers bloom in spring. Fruit turns from blue to black in fall. Fall color varies from orange to red. Tolerant to a wide variety of soil conditions. Grows in sun or shade.

.slios fo yteirav ediw a ot tnarelot si dna nus lluf sreferP .roloc llaf der dna wolleY .gnirps eht ni smoolb dna der ot etihw morf seirav roloc rewolFetaredom ot wolS’02-01’02-01).ppFruit ranging in color from green and yellow to red and is attractive to birds. Look for disease resistant varieties.

hat trees should I plant?

There are many species of trees available to plant in your yard. We have put together a chart that describes a number of different trees suitable for your area. Although this list is not all-inclusive, it will serve as a good reference and starting point for choosing your tree.

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UW-Extensionwww.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/index.html

American Transmission Companywww.atcllc.com

National Arbor Day Foundationwww.arborday.org

We Energies has been a certified Tree Line USA utility since 1999. The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with theNational Association of State Forestersand recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices that protect andenhance America's urban forests.

How do I plant and maintain my trees?

The best time of year to plant trees is either in the spring orearly autumn. It is best to avoid hot, dry days when planting. Byfollowing the steps below provided by the WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources and by referring to theplanting diagram, you can increase your chances of growing astrong, healthy tree.

1. After having your property marked for underground utilitylines, dig a shallow, wide planting hole. The hole should beabout three times as wide as the diameter of the rootsystem. Leave an undisturbed mound of soil in the bottom ofthe hole for the tree to rest on. Taper the sides of the holeand gently loosen the soil around the hole to promote rootgrowth. The hole should be slightly shallower than the depthof the root system.

2. If the tree is container grown, remove the container fromaround the root system and check for the root collar or trunkflare (this is where the roots start to spread at the base ofthe tree). If the root system is wrapped in burlap, use a stiffwire to gently probe through the burlap next to the trunk tofind the root collar.

3. Carefully place the tree in the hole so that the root collar iseven with, or slightly above, the soil surface.

4. Begin backfilling using the soil removed from that location.Do not pack the soil. Watering while planting will eliminate

any air pockets that form and will help the tree settle into place. When the hole is about half full, remove the twine and peel back the burlap from around the root system. Cut off or bury the excess burlap. Continue fillingand watering until the tree is firmly in place. It is a goodidea to periodically check to make sure the tree is stillstraight throughout this process.

5. Use mulch or wood chips around the planting area to keepthe soil cool and moist. A 2- to 4-inch layer is recommended.Avoid placing mulch directly in contact with the tree trunk asthis can cause decay of the living bark at the base of the tree.

6. It is best to avoid staking trees. If you are planting in a verywindy place, it may be necessary. If you must stake, usewide bands of nylon strap to support the tree upright. Makesure the tree has room to move a little. Do not pound thestakes through the root ball and remember to remove allstaking hardware within one year after planting.

Generally, it is not recommended to fertilize or prune trees atthe time of planting. Monitor your tree for problems such asdisease, insects and broken or dead limbs. Proper watering isimportant. Too much or too little water may cause leaves toturn yellow and fall off. Check your trees at least once a weekand more often in hot, dry weather. With proper care, theinvestment in your trees will pay off in the many years to come.

Ten safety tips to remember

1. Never play in trees growing near power lines.

2. Don’t build a tree house or anything else in a tree that isnear a power line.

3. Never prune trees near power lines yourself. Pruning nearpower lines only should be done by a We Energies lineclearance arborist. Report trees with branches growing nearpower lines by calling 800-242-9137. We will evaluate anddetermine the best course of action.

4. Extensive tree trimming and tree removal are best left to professionals. Visit www.waa-isa.org to find a certified arboristin your area.

5. Consider replacing tall-growing trees that are planted underpower lines before they can cause problems. Low-growingtrees and bushes are safe and just as attractive.

6. Call to have your underground utilities marked at least threedays before you plan to dig or plant trees.

7. A tree is not a safe shelter in a lightning storm. A tall, wettree can attract electricity by acting as a lightning rod.

8. Never climb utility poles or touch electric power lines.

9. Never touch a fallen power line, even if it’s not sparking. If you see one, call We Energies immediately.

10. Remember: Always plant the right tree in the right place.

Where can I get more information?

We Energies

Customer service800-242-9137

www.we-energies.com

Forestry departmentwww.we-energies.com/forestry

Natural gas leak and/or natural gas safety hazard800-261-5325

Power outage and/or electric safety hazard (non-medical)800-662-4797

Digging

Diggers Hotline (Wisconsin) 800-242-8511 or 811

Miss Dig (Michigan)800-482-7171 or 811

Other resources

Wisconsin Arborist Associationwww.waa-isa.org

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourceswww.dnr.state.wi.us

UW-Extensionwww.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/index.html

American Transmission Companywww.atcllc.com

National Arbor Day Foundationwww.arborday.org

We Energies has been a certified Tree Line USA utility since 1999. The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with theNational Association of State Forestersand recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices that protect andenhance America's urban forests.

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