Just in Time for California Arbor Week, PG&E Offers New Safety Resource to Help Customers Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is launching a new web resource, Right Tree, Right Place, to support safe tree planting during California Arbor Week (March 7-14). This initiative offers rules, tips, and guidelines for planting trees near electric and gas lines, helping to enhance fire safety and reduce power outages. Customers can download brochures that detail safe planting practices, including checking underground utilities before digging. PG&E encourages adherence to fire safety standards to mitigate wildfire risks across Central and Northern California.

Positive

• Launch of the 'Right Tree, Right Place' resource promotes safe planting practices.
• Increased public safety awareness through educational materials.
• Potential reduction in wildfire risks by promoting proper vegetation management.

Negative

• None.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is kicking off California Arbor Week (March 7-14) by unveiling its new comprehensive web resource for its customers and communities that includes rules, tips and guides for planting trees safely near electric and gas lines. The Right Tree, Right Place web resource can be found at pge.com/righttreerightplace and includes free downloadable brochures on how to plant with fire safety in mind and creating defensible space.

(Graphic: Business Wire)

“Trees play a vital role in our environment and make California a beautiful place to live, work and recreate. They also need space to grow both above and below ground. Planting the right tree in the right place helps promote fire safety, reduces power outages, provides shade benefits, enhances property values and ensures beauty for years to come,” said Michael Ritter, Senior Director of Vegetation Management. “If the right tree is not planted in the right place and too close to power and gas lines, it can create public safety issues and power outages.”

Using the free safety guides, customers can learn which trees are safe to plant near electric and gas lines, and in which regions; information on what to do before planting; how to plant and care for a tree; characteristics of recommended small trees and more. For example, residents and business should always call 8-1-1 at least two days before landscaping or planting trees to have underground lines and other utilities marked to ensure safe digging.

Before planting trees near overhead lines, it’s also recommended to know if you live in an area of increased fire risk by visiting the California Public Utilities Commission’s High Fire-Threat District (HFTD) map.

• If the property is outside a HFTD, any trees that can grow taller than 25 feet at maturity should be planted at least 50 feet away from power lines.
• If the property is within a HFTD, follow safety clearances of the following zones, which are categorized by the horizontal distance between power lines and desired plant:
  • Small zone: Within 15 feet away from the power line easement (along the ground), plant only low-growing plants less than 12 inches at maturity that have high moisture, and low sap or resin content.
  • Medium zone: From 15 to 50 feet away from the power line easement, plant trees that reach no taller than 40 feet at maturity.
  • Tall zone: At least 50 feet away from the power line easement, trees that grow taller than 40 feet at maturity are acceptable.

PG&E reminds its customers and the communities in Central and Northern California that everyone can do their part to help reduce wildfire risks by choosing the right plants, trees and shrubs and by following vegetation and fire safety standards that require greater clearances between trees, limbs and power lines.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005105/en/

FAQ

What is PG&E's new initiative during California Arbor Week?

PG&E launched the 'Right Tree, Right Place' web resource to guide safe tree planting.

How can customers access PG&E's tree planting guidelines?

Customers can access the guidelines at pge.com/righttreerightplace.

What are the safety recommendations for planting near power lines?

Customers should plant trees a specified distance from power lines based on height to ensure safety.

What is the purpose of PG&E's 'Right Tree, Right Place' program?

The program aims to enhance fire safety and reduce power outages by promoting appropriate tree planting.

How does PG&E contribute to wildfire risk reduction?

PG&E encourages proper vegetation management and safe planting practices that comply with fire safety standards.