When Planting Trees, Remember “Right Tree, Right Place”
Proper vegetation planning/management are essential to preventing power outages
Falling vegetation is one of the leading causes of power outages in DLC’s service territory. To help minimize this issue, we proactively manage Pittsburgh’s “urban forest” to ensure we can continue providing safe, reliable and resilient service to our customers.
And you can help! When planting trees on your property, it’s important to follow the “right tree, right place” approach to minimize the risk of unsafe situations and potential power outages.
Below are some important reminders as DLC powers through its 2025 vegetation management season.
Right Tree, Right Place
When planting vegetation on your property, there are three zones to be aware of to ensure you’re planting a safe distance from utility infrastructure, including poles and wires.
When fully grown, trees should be placed according to their height:
- Red zone: Suitable area for trees up to 25 feet tall.
- Yellow zone: Acceptable area for trees up to 40 feet tall.
- Green zone: Ideal area for trees up to 60 feet tall.
Utility-Compatible Trees
Certain tree species are deemed “utility safe” because their mature height is less than 25 feet. Some common utility-safe trees include varieties of cherry, maple and hawthorne. Every tree grows differently, so it is important to research the species before planting.
Pruning, and often removing, trees is necessary to maintain clearance between trees and electrical equipment. This helps prevent infrastructure damage and power outages. Improperly planted trees that interfere with overhead power lines or electrical equipment may be removed by DLC’s qualified line clearance professionals. While tree removals may be necessary to protect the electric grid, DLC offers vouchers to impacted property owners for utility-compatible trees to be redeemed at local participating nurseries.
If you’re planning to plant in or near our transmission line corridors, the distance between your tree and overhead power lines should significantly increase.
If you have questions about your plans, please contact us at 888-393-7100.
You can also watch our recent appearance on Pittsburgh Today Live to get a closer look at how vegetation management works.