What happens if you plant the wrong tree in the wrong place? It could become a big problem!
Plant Smart is a vegetation management partnership with Greening Australia and Ergon Energy providing basic tree planting guidelines for around powerlines and other potential problematic structures.
Trees enhance our homes and provide shade and privacy. However, trees making contact with powerlines can disrupt power supply, bring down lines and cause fires, especially in storms and high winds. To help prevent this happening and to ensure the safety and reliability of power supply, it pays to Plant Smart. As a program, Plant Smart educates the community about planting appropriate trees under and around powerlines and other structures.
Always plant smart near powerlines. Before planting trees, consider how high and wide they will grow, and if planting near powerlines, choose lower growing species. Nurseries and plant suppliers will be able to recommend appropriate species of shrubs and trees to choose from. A council list of recommended powerline friendly trees is available to download from www.ergon.com.au
Before you plant:
- Check with your council for local planting guidelines, especially if planting on a council footpath or verge.
- Consider the location of overhead and underground services, including your phone/internet line into your home. Always phone ‘Dial before you dig’ on 1100 to request information on underground cables on, near or over your property.
- Consider carefully which type of tree you should plant. Choose a powerline friendly tree that will grow less than 4 metres high.
- Plan where you are going to plant – refer to the diagram provided by Greening Australia and Ergon Energy for general planting instructions.
When planting trees, you need to consider the following:
- Plants and trees must be at least 3 metres from energy poles
- Shrubs and small trees must be planted 1 metre inside kerbsides where council footpaths are minimum 4 metres wide
- Allow for at least a 2 metre gap between service wires to your house and the heights of mature trees
It is recommended to check with your council’s policy for street planting, as they may differ from suburb to suburb, city to city, or from recommended guidelines. Residents wishing to plant trees on council controlled land usually need to obtain written permission.
For more information:
Search for ‘Plant Smart’ on www.ergon.com.au for participating nurseries and your local council info.
Contact www.greeningaustralia.org.au or email plantsmart@greeningaustralia.org.au for more info.