Georgia Power Shares Landscaping Tips on Arbor Day

On Georgia Arbor Day, Georgia Power is reminding customers that planting “the right tree in the right place” decreases the likelihood of a power outage in the event of a storm. Keeping powerline right of way clear of brush and trees helps to keep reliability high, reduces the need for company tree trimming of homeowners’ trees and allows quicker power restoration after a storm.

As shown in the accompanying illustration, Georgia Power recommends dividing your yard into three specific planting zones:

• Tall Zone (trees 60 feet or higher)
• Medium Zone (trees no taller than 40 feet), and
• Low Zone (trees and shrubs no taller than 25 feet)
• Trees and shrubs in the Low Zone may be planted 15 feet from electric utility wires.

In addition to helping customers select the right trees to plant, Georgia Power maintains 160,000 line acres and 24,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines under guidelines set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These maintenance activities are an essential piece of the company’s commitment to ensuring reliable service for 2.6 million customers in every corner of the state. Georgia Power is recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA program as a utility that demonstrates practices that protect and enhance America’s urban forests. To learn more visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/trees

With spring planting, Georgia Power also reminds customers of the importance of calling 811 before they dig. The company works every day with Georgia 811 to ensure that projects are safe and comply with the “Georgia Dig Law.” The law requires that workers contact Georgia 811 before digging to have all underground utility lines (such as power, communications, gas and water lines) clearly marked. Georgia residents can call the free service at 8-1-1 or (800)-282-7411, or submit an electronic request at www.Georgia811.com.

Georgia Power’s 2019 review shows the company has planted over 500,000 trees on land throughout Georgia and restored 178 acres of longleaf pine habitat. Additionally, Georgia Power’s Green Keepers, the company’s employee environmental stewardship group and the company’s forestry and Right-Of-Way Services team, gives away hundreds of seedlings a year to communities and schools to encourage planting “the right tree in the right place” across the state.