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Trade A Tree

Electric customers that have trees growing into their power lines can have them replaced with small growing ornamental trees for FREE. Please call 874-6205 or e-mail us for more information.

If your property has trees growing into power lines, it's likely that you'll experience 'blinks' in your service or a power failure. Most power outages result from trees and limbs falling on electrical lines during storms.

The first step in trading your large tree with a smaller one is to notify us and we will inspect your trees growing near power lines. If your property qualifies for the program, Water and Light will remove the problem tree. You can then choose which type of tree you would like:

These trees are under warranty for one year. After you have chosen the tree, Water and Light will arrange for your tree to be delivered and planted for you.

To Avoid Electrical Problems Due To Trees…

When planting trees, it's important to choose the site based on what the tree will look like when it is fully grown. Make sure that there is plenty of room for the tree to grow above and below the ground. Plant trees away from overhead power lines (see following image), driveways and sidewalks. Remember there are also utilities like sewer, water and electric lines underground. Planting too close to your utility lines can eventually cause problems with your services.

Always call 1-800-DIG-RITE (Missouri One Call) to have the location of all utilities marked before doing any digging in your yard. Sewer and water lines will only be marked on the city side of the meter. Lines running from the meter to a home are not located by the utility.

Proper Planting

Examples of large trees (over 70 feet): Shagbark Hickory, Black Walnut, Austrian Pine, Basswood, Bur Oak, Pin Oak, Pecan, White Pine, Sweetgum and Scotch Pine.

Examples of medium trees (30 to 70 feet): Marshall Seedless, Littleleaf Linden, Norway Maple, Kentucky, Coffeetree, English Oak, Pagoda Tree, Sugar Maple, Ash.

Examples of small trees (under 30 feet): Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Red Cedar, Russian Olive, Crabapple, Hawthorn, Redbud.

Examples of shrubs (to 15 feet): Euonymus Manhattan, Beautybush, Wahoo, Burning Bush, Lilac, Rose-of-Sharon, Forsythia, Honeysuckle, Mockorange, Pyracanthia.

 
 
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