RIGHT TREE,
RIGHT PLACE
2019
This fact sheet is an update from Southern
California Edison (SCE) regarding tree selection.
Trees and branches can grow, blow, or snap off
into power lines creating an extremely dangerous
condition or causing a power outage.
At Southern California Edison we care about trees
and our customers. We want you to enjoy the
beauty, serenity and cooling that trees provide,
while enjoying the safety of your yards and reliable
power. When you are working in your yard and
in proximity to power lines, please be careful —
especially when carrying tall aluminum ladders,
pool skimmers or metal picking or pruning
equipment. Tree houses should not be built
anywhere near power lines. Please review this
brochure for recommendations on utility-friendly
tree species that can be planted near our highvoltage power lines.
If you’re planting a new tree, consider where you
are placing it and what it will look like in 10 or 20
years. Look up from the proposed place where it
will be planted and see if there are wires overhead
or nearby. Palm trees are a major source of power
interruptions and should not be near overhead
power lines. Dried fronds can detach and be
carried by the wind for great distances. For
more information on planting trees and finding
additional species recommendations, visit
selectree.calpoly.edu
Always be aware when you’re around overhead
power lines. Keep yourself and any object at least
10 feet away from both overhead power lines
and electrical facilities and never approach or
touch overhead power lines or any person or
object in contact with the lines.
Call SCE if you have concerns about trees near any
wires or poles. SCE hires qualified contractors to
prune and remove vegetation that is encroaching
or threatening SCE electrical facilities to comply
with applicable laws and to ensure public safety
and electrical service reliability. If you are planning on pruning or removing a tree that is near power
lines, please contact us before you start the work.
SCE will perform a tree risk assessment to ensure
your safety while working in the proximity of
electrical facilities.
SCE also offers tree removals on a case-by-case
basis. Contact SCE for an evaluation.
VERSION 03.21.19
TREES AND POWER LINES DON’T MIX
For more information
Call us at: 1-800-655-4555 or contact us at:
sce.com
with your questions or concerns.
Always call USA Dig Alert before you dig (811)
Visit 811.com or call 1-800-422-4133
Majestic Beauty Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis)
Region: Valley
Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa)
Region: Mountain & Desert
Redbud (Cercis species)
Region: Coastal, Valley, Mountain
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Region: Coastal, Valley, Mountain & Desert
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Region: Coastal, Valley
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Region: Valley, Mountain
Pink Trumpet (Handroanthus heptaphyllus)
Region: Coastal, Valley
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Region: Valley, Mountain, & Desert
Evergreen Pear (Pyrus kawakamii)
Region: Valley, Mountain, & Desert
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Region: Valley, Desert
Shoestring Acacia (Acacia Stenophylla)
Region: Valley, Desert
Site Photos:
selectree.calpoly.edu
Bronze Loquat (Eriobotrya deflexa)
Region: Coastal, Valley
California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
Region: Valley, Mountain
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Region: Valley, Mountain
Semi-dwarf Citrus (Citrus species) Region: Coastal, Valley, & Desert SCE’S UTILITY-FRIENDLY TREE SPECIES
Recommendations for Coastal, Valley,
Mountain & Desert regions:
The trees included below are utility-friendly tree
species that may be planted near high-voltage
power lines. (Not all trees can be guaranteed from
encroaching into the utility clearance zone, some
trees may need slight pruning or clearing as they
mature.)