For your security, you will be logged out of your session in 5 minutes.
For your security, you have been logged out of your session due to inactivity.
Trees need space to grow both above and below ground. Planting the right tree in the right place helps promote fire safety, reduces power outages and ensures beauty for years to come1 .
You can help reduce wildfire risks by choosing the right plants, trees and shrubs and by following vegetation and fire safety standards that require greater clearances between trees, limbs and power lines. To find out if you live in a high fire-threat area, see the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) High Fire-Threat District (HFTD) map.
Outside of high fire-threat areas
Select only tree species that will grow no taller than 25 feet at maturity. Any trees that can grow taller than 25 feet at maturity should be planted at least 50 feet away from these power lines.
Within High Fire-Threat Districts (HFTD)
You play a vital role to ensure that the right tree is safely planted in the right place. If you live in a high fire-threat area designated by the CPUC, please follow these safety clearances:
Outside of high fire-threat areas
Plant only low-growing shrubs underneath and between the wires on the power line and only grasses within the area directly below the tower. Along the border of the strip of land on either side of the transmission line, plant only small trees that cannot grow taller than 10 feet at maturity.
Within High Fire-Threat Districts (HFTD)
Plant only low-growing shrubs within 40 feet of the base of transmission poles or within 50 feet of metal transmission towers. Within the border zone outside this 40- to 50-foot clearance area, plant only low-growing shrubs that cannot grow taller than 15 feet at maturity.
Always look up before planting or pruning trees and work at a safe distance away from power lines. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911.
To remain safe while planting trees, shrubs or flowers, call 811 at least two business days before digging. Workers will visit your property free of charge to mark the location of gas lines or other underground utilities so you can stay safe and avoid them.
Avoid planting closer than 8 feet from the front and 2 feet from the back and sides of pad-mounted transformers.
Caption: This image is an example of a pad-mounted transformer.
You can help stop the spread of wildfires by creating defensible space on your property.
www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/
We created a series of planting guides to assist you in plant selections near power lines. Not all plant species may be available at your local nursery, but the information will serve as a starting point of discussion to meet planting needs near power lines. To remain safe while planting, call 811 at least two days in advance. Underground utilities will be marked so they can be avoided during planting.
BAY AREA TREE PLANTING GUIDE (PDF, 4.4 MB) >
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA TREE PLANTING GUIDE (PDF, 4.4 MB) >
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TREE PLANTING GUIDE (PDF, 4.3 MB) >
BAMBOO TREE PLANTING GUIDE (PDF, 687KB) >
PALM TREE PLANTING GUIDE (PDF, 885KB) >
GUIDE TO SAFE USES NEAR PIPELINES (PDF, 1.1 MB) >