April 15,2009

With warmer weather quickly approaching, the time has come to begin thinking about spring planting. National Grid reminds customers that trees should be planted mindfully, with an awareness of location to prevent personal injury, interference with utility services and later damage to property.

Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Many factors need to be considered prior to planting. National Grid offers the following tips:
1. Before beginning your spring planting project, check with the experts at least three week days in advance of digging to determine the precise location of underground lines and facilities. Personal injury, property damage and service interruptions can result from accidental digging into electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer or cable lines and sources. In New York State, call “Dig Safely New York®” at either 811 or 1-800-962-7962. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, call “Dig Safe®” at either 811 or 888-344-7244. For more information, visit www.digsafe.com.
2. After the ground has been marked, dig no closer than 10 feet from any underground utilities.
3. If you plan to plant a tree within 25 feet of overhead power lines, make sure that you choose a species that matures to a height of no more than 25 feet, planning so that branches of the mature tree will be at least 10 feet away.
4. Work with a certified arborist, landscape or gardening professional to determine which species will do best in your selected location once they have matured.
5. Be sure the tree you select is suitable for the appropriate planting zone, soil and drainage conditions present; avoid trees sensitive to road salt if used on your streets.
6. Some examples of appropriate species when planting near facilities include: Trident, Hedge or Amur Maples; low growing varieties of Flowering Crabapple; Japanese Tree Lilac; and American Hornbeam.

For additional information regarding avoidance of tree and utility line conflicts and a list of possible tree species and varieties to consider, please visit www.nationalgridus.com, select your home region, and then click Safety.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.