Hazardous Tree Program
Our specially trained utility arborists are focused on defective trees near our power lines.
A "hazard tree" is a tree with structural defects likely to cause failure of all or part of the tree, which could strike a "target." For PECO, a target can be electrical poles, facilities, or equipment. We've put together a list of compatible trees for planting under or near power lines for you.
What PECO looks for
Hazardous defects are visible signs that the tree is failing. We recognize seven main types of tree defects: dead wood, cracks, weak branch unions, decay, cankers, root problems, and poor tree structure. A tree with defects is not hazardous, however, unless some portion of it is within striking distance of our facilities.
Cited Publication: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and USDA Forest Service. 1996. How to Recognize Hazardous Defects in Trees. USDA Forest Service NA-FR-01-96. 20 pp.
What action to take
If you believe that you have a hazardous tree that presents a danger to falling on or near power lines please contact PECO at 1-800-494-4000 to report it. The condition will be assessed to determine if PECO can assist with the removal. PECO provides assistance in clearing of our facilities but the remainder of the removal and all associated clean-up are the responsibility of the property owner.
Grounds Maintenance
- PECO's grounds maintenance program ensures that the high standards of PECO are met or exceeded at all PECO's locations; approximately 700 sites. The scope of work represents every company owned property requiring some element of landscaping, grass mowing, transmission ROW turf mowing, weed control, site clean up, or any other activity relating to grounds maintenance. Additionally, snow plowing is performed at most PECO business work sites. Maintenance of PECO sites include:
- Service Buildings
- Railroad Sidings
- Transmission ROW
- Substations
- Generating Stations
- Recreational Areas
- Gas Gate Stations
- Gas Regulator Stations
The successful management of the Grounds Maintenance program is critical to system reliability and property aesthetics.
Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place
Although PECO recommends that you do not plant directly under our facilities, here are some compatible species that can be considered.
The trees are listed by their common name followed by their scientific name in parenthesis.
Compatible Trees for Planting Under or Near Power Lines:
- Cherry, Choke (Prunus virginiana)
- Cherry, Okame (Punus okame)
- Cherry, Oriental (Prunus serrulata)
- Crabapple, Flowering (Malus species and hybrids)
- Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
- Dogwood, Flowering (Cornus florida)
- Dogwood, Gray (Cornus racemosa)
- Dogwood, Kousa (Cornus kousa)
- Dogwood, Kousa hybrids (Cornus kousa x florida)
- Fringe Tree (Chionanthur virginicus)
- Hawthorn, Cockspur (Crataegus crus-galli)
- Hawthorn, Dotted (Crataegus punctata)
- Hawthorn, English (Crataegus laevigata)
- Hawthorn, Green (Crataegus viridis)
- Hawthorn, Washington (Crataeus phaenopyrum)
- Lilac, Japanese Tree (Syringa reticulata)
- Magnolia, hybrid (Magnolia hybrids)
- Magnolia, Star (Magnolia stellata)
- Maple, Amur (Acer ginnala)
- Maple, Hedge (Acer campestre)
- Maple, Paperbark (Acer griseum)
- Maple, Tatarian (Acer tataricum)
- Maple, Trident (Acer buergeranum)
- Redbud, Eastern (Cercis Canadensis)
- Silverbell, Carolina (Halesia Carolina)
- Snowbell, Japanese (Styrax japonica)
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Evergreens For Screens:
- Arborvitae, American (Thuja occidentalis)
- Juniper, Chinese (Juniperus chinensis)
- Juniper, Rocky Mountain (Juniperus scopulorum)
- Redcedar, Eastern (Juniperus virginiana)