Planting Advice 

Call Before You Dig

Call 811 before every digging job - even small projects like planting trees and shrubs.  Digging without calling 811 can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.  Know what's below.

Picking the Right Tree

• Watch our Right Tree. Right Place. video before you get started.
• Analyze the condition of your lot, including soil conditions and drainage.
• Determine your planting goal: shade, flowers or leaves, fruit, or visual screening.
• Decide between a coniferous or deciduous type plant.
• Consider the maintenance and pruning required.
• Determine the tree’s mature size, including height, spread, growth rate, and longevity.
• Research ornamental features such as foliage, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall coloration.
• Avoid trees with cracks, splits in the bark and dead branches.
• Look for a solid root ball, uniformity of branch pattern and general tree health.

Power line-Approved Trees

NES and the Metro Tree Advisory Committee have identified more than two dozen species and cultivars that can be planted safely under power lines without worrying about trimming in the future.  These “power line-friendly” trees have an average height of 20 feet at maturity.  Trees on this list are suitable for planting at the front and side of your house.  Please contact NES at 615-695-7400 before planting under lines that are inaccessible from a driveway.  Power line-Approved Trees Brochure  

Choosing the Perfect Spot

Proper planting can eliminate the need for tree trimming.  All trees and shrubs should be planted so that they will not grow within a 10 foot radius of NES equipment.  Remember to consider the tree’s height and spread at maturity.  The following list provides the minimum planting allowances from NES poles and structures.  Proper Planting Illustrations  

Planting and Watering

• Select the best planting material available
• Dig a hole two to five times the width of the root ball and as deep as the height of the root ball of your plant.
• Cut and remove all strings and remove burlap from the top half of the root ball
• Backfill with soil removed from the hole and compact it firmly with your feet
• With any excess soil, build a saucer ring around the tree at least 36 inches in diameter, with the outside being 4-6 inches above ground level and tapering off so there is no new soil around the tree trunk
• Cover with mulch, using only one-half inch next to the tree trunk
• Water the tree thoroughly to remove air spaces and settle the soil
• Water at least once a week to keep the soil moist
• Taper off watering in mid-fall to allow the tree to stop growing and prepare for winter