Trees stand tall, strong and deeply rooted, often providing the comfort of shade and beauty to their surroundings. Their sunset-colored leaves draw our attention every fall. Their aromatic, vibrant blossoms each spring are a welcome sight after a long, cold winter. In the summer, they provide a welcome relief from the heat and protect us from harmful UV rays, all while cleansing the air we breathe.
Yet in our hustle-and-bustle, technology-obsessed world, we often don’t take the time to simply stop and smell the roses…or admire the trees.
Dayton Power and Light (DP&L) wants you to do just that -- and plant a tree in celebration of Arbor Day.
Sidney and Centerville are seeing green
The roads into the cities of Sidney and Centerville look greener, thanks to a $50,000 environmental grant each city received last Arbor Day from DP&L's Right Tree, Right Place program. To receive one of these environmental grants, cities must have the Tree City USA designation to be eligible to apply.
Right Tree, Right Place is part of DP&L's ongoing effort to help customers understand that, with a little planning and regular pruning, a tree planted today can provide many benefits to your family, your neighborhood and the entire community for years to come.
“The grant from DP&L’s Right Tree, Right Place program was a godsend,” said Gary Clough, public works director and assistant city manager for the City of Sidney.
Like so many communities in the Miami Valley region, Sidney has had to remove hundreds of trees due to the emerald ash borer infestation, as well as trees that were conflicting with power lines. Unfortunately, the cost of replacing all of those trees often goes beyond the budget of most cities.
“Our budget only covers replacing 30-35 trees a year,” explained Clough. “The grant from DP&L allowed us to replace 90 trees in area parks and 95 trees in street right-of-ways, 40 of which line Fair Road that leads into Sidney from the highway.”
It was a similar situation for the City of Centerville.
"The Right Tree, Right Place program and grant funding allowed Centerville to remove trees that had been cut back from power lines and were dying due to the emerald ash borer. We were able to replace those trees with new ones that residents can enjoy for years to come," said Marylou Pence, public works operation manager for the City of Centerville. "Centerville takes pride in being recognized as a Tree City USA."
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Planting with utilities in mind
DP&L provides safe distance guidelines on their website to ensure that their customers are planting their trees and vegetation in the right place.
“Downed branches from trees planted too close to power lines are a common cause of power outages,” explained Holly Wiggins, director community and corporate social responsibility for DP&L. “We hate to cut back beautiful trees, but our choices are limited when trees might interfere with the safety and reliability of the electrical system. It’s all about smart planting with utilities in mind.”
Choosing the perfect tree
Thoughtful planting in the Miami Valley, with the weather extremes and population density that exists here, means not only educating yourself on what trees typically thrive in this area, but also in how to select the best locations to plant them around your home.
“Many on our staff have had training in Right Tree, Right Place, so we are very familiar with knowing where to plant trees and shrubs so they don’t interfere with utilities,” said Clough. “With the grant from DP&L and the approved list of utility-friendly trees, we were able to plant a nice variety around the community.”
Joe Morrison, horticulturist with Cox Arboretum in Dayton, says that when choosing a tree to plant in your yard, important things to consider are the tree's expected height, width/spread at maturity, and reach of its root system.
Morrison recommends some of his favorite utility-friendly trees that tend to thrive in the Miami Valley:
- Sweetbay Magnolia
- Redbud
- Cherry plum
- Serviceberry
- Crabapple
- Oaks and maples (these must be planted a minimum of 50 feet away from power lines)
Your local garden center is a great resource to provide you with detailed information about any trees or shrubs you may be interested in planting around your home.
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Safety first
DP&L is always concerned about your safety. At least two business days before you do any digging or construction on your property, call the Ohio Utility Protection Service (OUPS) at 800-362-2764. A representative will identify underground lines on your property so you can avoid any problems. This free service prevents injuries and utility disruptions for your neighborhood.
"DP&L will announce the two 2017 winners of the $50,000 environmental grants today. Stay tuned for future tree giveaways and grants," said Wiggins. "Be sure to look for announcements on our website.
