If you’re getting ready to plant trees, bushes, or shrubs, please look around to see where overhead power lines may hinder their growth in the future. Call Douglas Electric Cooperative’s (DEC’s) right-of-way department for assistance on plant selection and placement. Remember that a 2-foot tall fir seedling will grow over 100 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide. The cost to maintain a tree like this for the duration of its life can be over $30,000.
After you’ve looked up, look down for underground service as well. Planting over underground utilities or planting cover to hide underground utilities makes an outage last longer and is unsafe for workers. To get your underground utilities located free of charge just call (800) 332-2344.