The Mistake
Have you ever bought a tree or shrub, dug a hole, and stuck it in the ground sporadically? Drive around any town or city in the country, and you will find that people have been doing this for a long time. A beautiful tree becomes hacked or maimed because it grew into the road, power lines, or utilities.
Utility companies are not obligated to trim or prune your trees. It is their job to get trees out of their power lines. When planning future plantings, keep this in mind. Know the mature size of your trees and shrubs. What grows well under a power line today could cause a power outage in the future, and you may wind up with a tree resembling a slingshot or something out of a Dr. Seuss book.
Research Plants and Property
Research plants of interest (particularly trees) BEFORE purchase. Note future dimensions and whether the plants have shallow or deep root systems. This is vital because you don’t want to plant anything with a deep root system near water sources or sewerage lines. Tree roots can grow as wide as the canopy. So, if a tree has a spread of 30 ft, the roots can spread equally far. Note: Trees are the number one cause of power outages and cracked foundations.
Use 811
If you live in an area with public water and sewer, be extremely diligent when planting. Paying for any repairs caused by the landscaping can be very costly. This due diligence also applies to power lines, fiber optic cables, and phone lines. Make sure to call 811 BEFORE digging.
Know Your Responsibility
In conclusion, no one other than you is responsible for damages caused by your plantings because it is ultimately your decision. While the exception can be made for trees already in place before the property was acquired, the new owner bears responsibility in the future. If this is the case, the owner needs to assess the trees and have them removed if necessary. Mortgages are far too costly to allow an ill-placed tree to ruin an investment.
Plan Smart
Plan smart, and enjoy the comfort of knowing you are not the reason your entire neighborhood loses power, phones, water, or the internet. That last one may spawn a lynch mob of angry teens, and nobody wants that.
