PPL Electric Utilities reminds customers this Arbor Day that planting the right tree in the right place is important to help eliminate future conflicts with power lines that could lead to outages.

“This time of year, landscaping projects are in full swing, so it’s important that customers carefully consider the location of power lines when deciding what trees to plant and where to plant them,” said Bill Klokis, manager of the utility’s Vegetation Management Program. “Depending on the type of line, there is permissible and prohibited vegetation, including trees.”

Klokis said customers should consider a tree’s full growth potential when choosing a spot to plant.

“Our professional foresters can advise you on proper tree selection for the location you have chosen,” Klokis said. “You also can get advice from your local nursery or garden center.”

Some 70 percent of storm power outages are tree-related. “We’re working hard to reduce this statistic,” Klokis said.

Details on the utility’s vegetation management program can be found online. PPL Electric Utilities is recognized as a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation for using best practices in tree care, worker training, public education and more.

Tree selection also can have energy efficiency benefits.

Deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in winter, can provide valuable cooling shade in the summer, but let the warm sun through in winter. In addition, evergreen trees and shrubs provide shade, but also serve to block cold winter winds.

The federal Department of Energy’s Guide to Home Landscaping contains valuable information about what and where to plant for energy savings. Additional information also is available online.

4/29/2013