Plant the right tree in the right place by looking to see if there are any power lines overhead. (Alabama NewsCenter/file)

Although central Alabama is in the middle of a drought, and most plant growth has come to a halt, rain will eventually return and decisions must still be made on how, where and when to plant trees and vegetation. Alabama Power is committed to helping customers and the public make the best decisions during fall planting season.

Before planting near a transmission or electrical distribution line, protect yourself and the environment. Tree limbs close to power lines can cause power outages. Squirrels and other wildlife cause outages when they have easy access to power lines via tree limbs. They can cause blinks and service interruption in service, and in some cases, even more hazardous situations.

Underground utilities should be at least 10 feet on all sides away from underground transformers. (Alabama NewsCenter/file)

“We want to make our customers and the community aware of some of the tree-planting problems we have had in the past,” said Corey Sweeney, Alabama Power contract service manager. “If you select the proper tree today, it will reduce problems in the future.”

Plant the right tree in the right place by looking up to see if there are any power lines overhead. For people with underground utilities, vegetation should be at least 10 feet on all sides away from underground transformers.

Click here for The Right Tree, Right Place resource guide.

To learn more, visit www.al811.com. Customers are asked to call Alabama 811 before digging in an area with underground utilities. Within two business days of notice, a utility representative will locate and mark any buried lines.