Responsibility
Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place
In Saskatchewan, trees cause approximately 1,000 power outages a year when they come in contact with power lines. Many of these outages could be prevented by planning landscaping projects to ensure trees on your property will not grow too close to power lines.
We have developed four zones for tree planting around power lines
No matter which zone you’re planting in, be sure that the tree and its branches will NOT reach into the Clear Zone when fully grown. A minimum of 3 metres (approx. 10 feet) clearance should be left between a power line and any branches.
What to plant
Your local nursery can provide advice on choosing the right tree for the right place. You can also visit SaskPower Shand Greenhouse for information on common Saskatchewan trees, their average heights and ideal growing conditions.
Sample list of trees appropriate for the low, medium, and tall zones
| Tree/shrub common name(s) | Height | |
| Low Zone (up to 6 metres in height) |
Buffaloberry | 2-4.5m |
| Sand cherry | 1-3m | |
| Lilac (most varieties) | 3-4m | |
| Dogwood | 1-3m | |
| Honeysuckle | 2-5m | |
| Cranberry | 2-5m | |
| Medium Zone (up to 12 metres in height) |
Eastern red cedar | 5-10m |
| Siberian crab apple | 3-9m | |
| Acute willow | 6-12m | |
| Choke cherry | 3-7m | |
| Tall Zone (12 meters or more in height) |
Cottonwood, poplar, hybrid poplar | up to 30m |
| Spruce (white or blue) | up to 30m | |
| White birch, paper birch | 20-25m | |
| Pine (Scots, jack or lodgepole) | 1-3m | |
| Siberian larch | 15-25m | |
| Green ash | 15-20m |
Landscaping outside the zones
If you’re thinking of planting trees or shrubs near SaskPower ground-mounted pedestals, remember that SaskPower employees must ALWAYS be able to open these pedestals for emergency and maintenance work. Leave 2-3 metres on all sides free of trees and shrubs.
Request a publication
We have created a printable brochure with the four zones and suggested tree types for you reference. If you prefer, we can also send you a copy.
