What are these trees?

• Underwire trees are ones that can be easily kept out of the primary distribution lines.
• The best are those that grow only to 25-30' and so never need utility pruning at all.

• Choosing the right trees for underwire planting brings:

• greater safety by eliminating the possibility of climbing into the wires
• lower maintenance costs from frequent pruning and power outages
• more reliability on uninterrupted electric service to customers
• fewer potential hazards from repeated wounding and subsequent decay
• no misshapen trees from topping, one-sided cuts, or center removal

• Set-back planting--placing public trees back from the right-of-way onto private property--is another option.

 

                                                                      Japanese tree lilac planted beneath power lines

   

• Examples of trees suitable for underwire use include:

• Hedge maple (Acer campestre)
• Robin Hill serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Robin Hill')
• Winter King hawthorn (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King')
• Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
• Amur Maackia (Maackia amurensis)
• Professor Sprenger crabapple (Malus 'Professor Sprenger')
• Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
• Ivory Silk tree lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk')

• Check the cultural requirements of these trees before selecting them for your site.

• Any medium or large tree that will grow quickly into the wires.
• Trees that require high maintenance, like many crabapples and cherries.

• Some are available at good regional nurseries, but check them against your stock specifications.
• Otherwise, order from the catalogue of a reputable tree nursery, best 6 months in advance.