Trees Virginia is pleased to bring you www.utilityfriendlytrees.org. This resource was born out of the efforts of Look Up, Virginia! – a consortium of arborists, horticulturists, urban foresters, urban forest scientists, and utility service providers striving to educate the public about tree and utility line conflicts.

Conflicts between trees and overhead utility lines are unfortunate occurrences in our towns and cities. These conflicts lead to power disruptions, safety hazards, increased utility costs, and disfigurement of trees. Fortunately, trees and utility lines can coexist as long as we make good choices about selecting, planting, and caring for trees.

The purpose of this website is to increase awareness of conflicts between trees and overhead utility lines and provide citizens with information and resources to make informed decisions about trees in their communities. In the coming months, new content will be added to this website to enhance learning opportunities for tree owners and citizens.

The Look Up, Virginia! consortium has been involved in public outreach and education about trees and utilities for about 20 years. The consortium has supported a range of programs:

• Public service announcements
• Brochures
• Publications
• Evaluation of utility compatible trees
• Municipal tree restoration projects
• Public display arboreta of utility compatible trees

Contributors to Look Up, Virginia! have included:

• American Electric Power
• Dominion Virginia Power (Tree Line USA)
• Mecklenburg Electric Cooperation (Tree Line USA)
• Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (Tree Line USA)
• Scenic Virginia
• Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Virginia Dept. of Forestry
• Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
• Virginia Tech Dept. of Horticulture
• Numerous municipalities around the state

To learn more about prevention of tree and utility line conflicts, check out this publication from Virginia Cooperative Extension: Trees and Shrubs for Overhead Utility Line Easements. 

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Utility Friendly Tree Resources

Below is a collection of resources that will help you to do your part to reduce tree and utility line conflicts:

Benefits of Trees

• Energy Saver Landscaping – US Dept. of Energy
• Energy-Saving Trees – Arbor Day Foundation
• Trees for Energy Conservation – Virginia Cooperative Extension

Tree Selection

• Selecting Trees for Your Home – University of Illinois Extension
• Tree Browser – Utah State University
• Virginia Urban Street Tree Selector – Virginia Tech

Tree Planting

• How to Plant Trees – Casey Trees
• Planting Trees – Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Trees and Power Lines – Consumers Energy

Tree Pruning

• A Guide to Successful Pruning – Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Common Questions about Electric Utility Pruning – Utility Arborist Association
• Pruning near Utility Lines – University of Florida

Visit a Utility Line Arboretum near you to see trees on display that are compatible with overhead utility lines.  Click on the link for each Arboretum to view the newly created Plants Map page!

• Abingdon, Virginia:  Veterans Memorial Park
• Blacksburg, Virginia:  Hahn Horticulture Garden
• Charlottesville, Virginia:  Fry’s Spring Neighborhood (Jefferson Park Avenue)
• Lynchburg, Virginia:  Appalachian Power Office
• Virginia Beach, Virginia:   Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HRAREC)