The Arbor Day Foundation encourages thoughtful practices that help preserve community trees while also benefiting electric co-op consumers.

Trees can help cool your home and neighborhood, break cold winds to lower your heating costs, and provide food for wildlife. Properly placed trees can lower line clearance costs for utility companies, reduce tree mortality, and result in healthier community forests.

Tall trees surrounding your home, such as maple, oak, pine and spruce, provide summer shade to lower cooling costs and keep out cold winter winds. Medium trees, 40 feet or less in mature height, might include Washington Hawthorne and Golden Raintree, while smaller trees suitable for planting beneath utility lines might include Redbud, Dogwood, and Crabapple. When planting near utility lines, consider a 25 foot maximum mature height and 20 foot spread.

To learn more about which trees might work best in your yard, visit www.arborday.org.