Where to Plant
Planting Trees To Help Conserve Energy
Planted in the right places, shade trees can help decrease your home’s need for air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Trees can help you conserve energy, resulting in lower electric bills.
Maximize your energy savings by planting shade trees that will, one day, shade as much of your home’s roof and walls as possible. Determine the best place to plant by considering factors like your home’s sun exposure and window placement. To select the right shade trees for your home, consider their expected height, growth rate, branch spread and shape. Find help in selecting the best shade trees for your home in our "Right Tree, Right Place" brochure or visit Recommended Trees.
Shrubs, vines and evergreens can also help your household conserve energy. Learn more about using landscaping for energy conservation at the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center.
Planting Near Electric Power Lines
For everyone’s safety, tree trunks and branches should be trimmed before reaching within 10 feet of overhead power lines. When selecting trees to plant at your home, look for species whose mature height and spread will stay clear of power lines. Resources are available to help you select the right shade trees. See "Right Tree, Right Place" or visit Recommended Trees.
Underground power lines can also present deadly hazard. Before digging to plant trees or shrubs, call Underground Service Alert (USA) at 800-227-2600 to learn whether there are underground pipes or electric lines in your planting area. In California, utilities will come out to your site free of charge, and mark the location of their facilities, provided they are notified about 48 hours in advance.
To request service for trees growing into power lines, use our Request Tree Trimming form or call 800-655-4555.
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