16 Trees & Shrubs that are Suitable Under Power Lines
- Rebekah
- May 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Many trees can be planted under electrical lines and never get close in size to needing to be trimmed by the power company. In this post, we will list several tree and shrub varieties that work well to stay under most power lines. Most power lines are above 25' in height, but sometimes they are below this approximation. If your gardening bed is near or under power lines, browse this list and use it as a guide when deciding what to plant. The plants listed below are 25' or less at maturity.
Chinese Dogwood
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 25 feet
Sunlight: part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade is best)
Hardiness Zone: 5
Other Names: Kousa Dogwood
Description: A beautiful specimen tree with large, showy white flowers in spring, and a strongly horizontal habit of growth; requires rich, well-drained acidic soil. In Middle Tennessee, Dogwoods perform well as understory trees; in partial shade locations
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Height: 20-25 feet
Spread: 20-25 feet
Sunlight: part sun
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: A small upright tree with layered branches and full, rounded form; great fall color; blooms profusely in spring. In Middle Tennessee, Dogwoods perform well as understory trees; in partial shade locations
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Flowering Crabapple (Malus)
Height: 20-25 feet
Spread: 20-25 feet
Sunlight: full sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Description: A highly regarded accent tree smothered in rich, brightly colored flowers in spring, upright habit of growth; the definitive ornamental feature tree for the home landscape, needs well-drained soil and full sun
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Height: 10-25 feet
Spread: 12-20 feet
Sunlight: part sun to shade (depending on variety)
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: Possibly the most popular of all feature trees for the home landscape, with beautiful foliage all season long and a very artistic spreading growth habit; put it in the front yard and give it lots of room to grow
Krauter Vesuvius Plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius')
Height: 20 feet
Spread: 12 feet
Sunlight: full sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: Myrobalan Plum, Pissard Plum
Description: An upright-growing and colorful feature tree blanketed in a cloud of pink flowers in spring, rich deep purple foliage all season long; tends to grow more upright than other selections, best used as a solitary front yard accent or in street plantings
Pink Snow Showers Weeping Cherry (Prunus 'Pishnshzam')
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight: full sun
Hardiness Zone: 3
Description: A visually stunning, weeping variety that is blanketed in soft pink flowers in early spring before the leaves; lovely golden fall color; full sun and well- drained soil; vigorous, hardy, with good disease resistance
White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Height: 15 feet
Spread: 15 feet
Sunlight: full to part sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: Old Man's Beard, Fringe Tree
Description: Without a doubt, one of the finest small native trees for spring bloom; plant is absolutely covered in frilly white flowers; generally a good, attractive plant the rest of the year, makes a great accent for smaller home landscapes
Teddy Bear Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear')
Height: 20 feet
Spread: 12 feet
Sunlight: full to part sun
Hardiness Zone: 6
Other Names: Southern Magnolia
Description: A beautiful flowering accent tree for smaller home landscapes, smothered in showy and fragrant white cup-shaped flowers in spring through summer; large glossy leaves with reddish-brown undersides and a neat pyramidal habit of growth
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')
Height: 12 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight: full to part sun
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: Eastern White Cedar
Description: The ubiquitous tall hedge evergreen always seen planted in rows, this is a narrow, upright accent evergreen, dense foliage held in vertical sprays remains bright green year-round; hardy and adaptable, takes pruning well
Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 30 feet
Sunlight: part sun
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: A very dainty and woodsy small tree, featuring the most delicate white bell-shaped flowers which hang loosely from the horizontally spreading branches in early spring; needs moist, organic soil and some shelter, does well in part shade
Deciduous Magnolia
Deciduous Magnolia (Magnolia)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliance’)
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 20 feet
Sunlight: full to part sun
Hardiness Zone: 3
Description: A great small tree prized for its abundance of showy white flowers in spring and consistently beautiful fall colors; a great three-season shade tree for small landscapes
Witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’)
Height: 12-15 feet
Spread: 12-15 feet
Sunlight: full to part sun
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description: Best flowers in full sun locations. Easily grows in average, yet well- draining soil. Blooms from February to March.
Holly (Ilex)
Look for these at the nursery and feel free to ask us for suggestions or assistance while here. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook where you can ask us gardening questions there, too. We look forward to seeing you soon at your local nursery!
