What to Keep in Mind While Determining the Placement of Trees

Are you thinking about planting trees in your Denver home? Whenever your answer is a yes, remember that it is crucial to find the right spot for them. Otherwise, you might have to cut down your trees or have to prune them more often than usual. To help you find the best spots on your property for tree plantation, you can also seek professional tree services in Denver. Professionals will not only help you find the right place but also consult you on what species are most suitable for the particular climate you live in, what requirements those trees have, and a lot more.

Here are some of the most common yet important things that you must keep in mind before deciding on the exact positions for your future trees.

1. Make sure that your trees won’t interfere with utility lines

We all know that both residential and commercial premises are surrounded by utility lines on all sides. These lines could be underground or overhead and may include power lines, phone lines, internet lines, cable lines, water pipelines, gas lines, etc. Many also have sewer and irrigation lines. The worst place for a shade tree that is planted directly under power distribution lines. In this case, the tree needs to be pruned repeatedly more often to ensure that everyone stays safe and your lights stay on. It is a must to avoid locations that conflict with utility lines.

Overhead lines: You can find guidelines for planting recommendations that are specific to Denver. Usually, the authorities assign planting recommendations to three zones adjacent to power lines easements:

• Low Zone – Only small-statured trees (with 25 feet mature height or within 20 feet of the pole-to-pole center line
• Medium Zone – Corridor between 20 and 50 feet (adjacent to the pole-to-pole center line) and for any tree with a mature height of 40 feet or less
• Tall Zone – 50 feet or more from the utility easement

Underground lines: Always dial the national “Call Before You Dig number – 811” before digging and planting trees. It can take a week or less for the locator service provider to mark the locations of all underground lines present. However, they don’t know about your irrigation lines. So, you will need to mark them yourself. In general, make sure that:

• Stay a minimum of 5 feet away from any underground line
• Increase the distance of 10 feet or more over sewer lines

2. Don’t Ignore the Nearby Structures before Planting Trees

Even when you plant a tree, it is small but when over years, it will grow and will fill up some space. So, you need to consider the placement relative to your home, other buildings on the property, or other permanent structures such as driveways and walkways. There are guidelines for planting near structures as well. Some of these are:

• A small tree (25 feet tall or less) should be planted at least 8 or 10 feet far from a wall or 6 to 8 feet from the corner of your home.
• A medium tree (up to 40 feet at maturity) should be at least 15 feet from walls and at least 12 feet from a corner.
• A large tree (taller than 40 feet at maturity) should be at least 20 feet from walls and at least 15 feet from any corner.

If you find it overwhelming to find the perfect place for your trees, hire professional tree services in Denver and avoid making any mistakes.