Planting

Strategically planting trees and vegetation around power lines and transformers is crucial for safety, reliability, and energy conservation. Proper placement helps prevent outages caused by overgrown branches interfering with electrical equipment, reducing the risk of power disruptions and fires. Additionally, shade trees planted thoughtfully can lower energy costs by providing natural cooling in summer while allowing sunlight to warm buildings in winter. This seasonal energy balance not only conserves energy but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supporting environmental sustainability. Strategic planting ensures a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly energy infrastructure.

Planting Near Overhead Power Lines

  • Planting the right tree in the right place helps to minimize tree-related outages and ensures safe and reliable electric service.
  • The tree's mature height and crown spread need to be considered when planting adjacent to overhead power lines. Avoid planting any tree directly underneath power lines.
  • Any tree planted within 20' of a power line should be a species that will grow to a mature height of 15' or less.
  • Suggested species for central and northern Minnesota are: lilac, dogwood, sumac, serviceberry, hawthorn, juniper and arborvitae.
  • Please contact a certified arborist, or Crow Wing Power, when questioning where a tree should be placed in proximity to power lines.
graphic showing how far away from power lines to plant trees

Planting Around Pad-Mounted Transformers

Pad-mounted transformers must be accessible for service at all times.  Plant at least 3’ from the sides and back of the transformer, and 10’ in front of the transformer (padlock side).  Allow plants sufficient room to grow, and plant species that can be easily maintained.  Do not allow plantings to grow over the transformer, and do not change grade levels around the transformer when planting or landscaping.

Conserving Energy by Planting Trees 

Properly placed trees conserve energy and reduce both heating and cooling demands for a home, ultimately reducing the cost of energy for homeowners. Planting deciduous trees that will drop their leaves in the fall on the west and east sides of your house will provide energy savings in summer and winter.

  • Planting trees on the east and west sides of your house will block the morning and afternoon sun in summer, reducing your cooling bill.
  • Adding shade from trees near driveways, patios, side walks and streets will help create a cooler atmosphere around your home. These trees will transpire, a natural process of trees that cools the environment they are in. Trees planted in these locations can make your house more comfortable in summer, even without air conditioning.
  • Reducing cooling costs in this way also reduces the peak demand for electricity in summer months, which keeps electricity costs down.
graphic showing where to plant for summer energy efficiency
  • Due to our cold Minnesota winters, avoid planting trees on the south side of your house. Sunny winter days allow us to take advantage of the warmth of the sun shining into our homes. If trees already exist on the south side of your house, prune their lower branches to allow more sun through.
  • Coniferous Trees (evergreens): Conifers can be planted as a windbreak on the north, north-west side of the house. Such plantings can reduce heating costs that result from evaporative cooling and air infiltration into your home in the winter.
  • Windbreaks guide wind up over the house. Energy can be conserved by planting a dense row or continuous clusters of evergreen trees with a row of shrubs or smaller trees in front. Space windbreaks so that sun can reach the lower branches of all plants.
graphic showing where to plant for winter energy efficiency
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG

Always call before you dig! Call Gopher State One-Call at 1-800-252-1166 or 811, two business days before you dig.