Power Line Compatible Tree and Shrub SelectionsH-1104, March 1996 Ronald C. Smith, NDSU Extension Horticulturist Adobe Acrobat file suitable for printing (59KB) Everyone loves large, stately, picturesque trees, but the nicest species can become a problem if planted under, or too near, overhead power lines. Eventually they will need severe pruning, which, even in the hands of experts, can lead to disfigurement. Ultimately, the trees are removed and conspicuous space is left in the landscape setting, decreasing property value. This would be unnecessary if the proper species of tree or shrub were selected in the first place. What follows is a partial listing of woody plants that are available at local nurseries or through mail catalogs which will be compatible with overhead power lines. Selecting from this list will greatly reduce the need for severe pruning later on and will maintain the aesthetic and monetary value of the property. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Amur Maple Ht. 15-18' Red - orange fall color (Acer ginnala) (T) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tatarian Maple Ht. 20-25' Tolerant of alkaline soils (Acer tataricum) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Serviceberry Ht. 20-25' White flowers; fruit/fall color red (Amelanchier spp.) (T) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Siberian Peashrub (S) Ht. 10-15' Yellow spring flowers (Caragana arborescens) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gray Dogwood Ht. 6-10' White flowers/fruit; red pedicels (C. racemosa) (S) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Redoiser Dogwood Ht. 8-10' Red twig coloration (C. sericea) (S) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hawthorns Ht. 15-20' Good flowers & fruit (Crataegus spp.) (T) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Russian Olive (T) Ht. 15-20' Sweet scent, silvery foliage (Elaeagnus angustifolia) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Forsythia Ht. 8-10' Early yellow flowers (Forsythia spp.) (S) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Rocky Mt. Juniper (T) Ht. 15-20' Blue-green foliage (Juniperus scopulorum) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Freedom Honeysuckle (S) Ht. 8-10' Flowers/fruit; resistant to aphid (Lonicera 'Freedom') ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Amur Maackia (T) Ht. 12-20' White summer flowers (Maackia amurensis) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thunderchild Crabapple(T) Ht. 12-20' Pink flowers; fruits sparingly (Malus 'Thunderchild') ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Spring Snow Crabapple Ht. 20-25' White flowers; sterile (Malus 'Spring Snow') (T) Flowering Crab Species ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Mugo Pine Ht. 12-15' Dense, wide spreading form (Pinus mugo) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese Tree Lilac Ht. 15-20' Creamy white flowers in June (Syringa reticulata) (T) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Lilacs (S) (Syringa X prestoniae) All non-suckering 'Miss Canada' Ht. 6-8' Bright pink flowers Donald Wyman Purple flowers Minuet Purple flowers 'Miss Kim' ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Siberian Arborvitae (T) Ht. 15-25' Winter hardy, foliage tinged blue (Thuja occidentalis 'Wareana') ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Viburnum Ht. 6-12' Showy all year 'round (V. spp.): (S) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (S) = Shrub form; (T) = Tree form Trees Incompatible With Power Lines
These trees must usually be topped as they mature, destroying their natural shape and beauty. This could result in the immediate death of the tree, a flush of growth that is open to attack by insects and diseases, and reduction in root development, with eventual tree death. They also eventually pose a safety hazard. Trees that are not topped usually need strong directional pruning to avoid the wires, destroying their aesthetic qualities. Avoid planting them near power lines! H-1104, March 1996
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