As a former utility attorney, I have issues with the idea that electric lines can run safely through a tree. The only way this happens is if the line is insulated - most aren’t!!! - or if there is no way any part of the tree can ever touch an uninsulated, energized line. A large tree that can touch an uninsulated, energized line in a populated area next to a sidewalk is a safety hazard. The fact that the utility did not trim the previous tree doesn’t necessarily mean the line is insulated or that the old tree was 100% safe from electrocution hazard under all conditions/circumstances. Wood can transfer electricity to ground - it is not an insulator. Don’t touch or climb trees that are touching electric lines and don’t stand next or even close to them in the rain to keep from getting wet.

you should check your easement.. and see if you actually own that 2 foot wide strip ...

and then check with the city and see if you are allowed to plant there ... and not just based on ... everyone else has done it ....

ken

Alright let me address these.

1. It's very common to see power lines to run through tree branches in this region, and there are many large trees right on our street with lines through them. I want to go with something smaller because i think that's the sensible thing to do and I'd prefer not to end up with a 'V' cut into our tree years from now. But the utility company trims whatever trees are there on a regular basis as they deem necessary.

2, The strip is on our property. Service lines have been marked out which is how we know where we can plant the tree.

3. The town encourages tree planting on these strips and will even come plant one for us on request. However they won't guarantee what kind. "Whatever is in stock," is what they say. We see them plant a lot of Eastern Redbuds which aren't our favorite. I'd rather pay for one we like.

4. There's no bylaw against planting a tree in that place, there's no height restriction and there's no list of "approved" trees given by the town that we need to choose from. However I'd like to choose one that's a good fit.

One of my local universities (in Utah) has a great agriculture program, so I often like to reference information they provide when it comes to choosing plants.

https://forestry.usu.edu/files/small-trees-planting-near-powerlines.pdf

They state "Tree experts and utility companies suggest that people plant trees with a mature height of 25 feet or less near power lines, with taller trees kept farther away. "

From that page, here are a couple that caught my eye. I haven't planted any of these, but their heights are listed well under 25ft.

• Globe Norway Maple
• California Redbud
• Star Magnolia

At least from what I'm reading, the Bradford Pear is expected to grow 30-50ft high which is too large to plant adjacent to power lines. I would not want to risk planting a tree where the lines would run through.

Some sort of small buckeye