Greene County Landscaping

Guides 2 of 7

Trees for small yards, and where not to plant them

Small native trees that fit a typical lot, and the clearances to keep from power lines, gas lines and the house.

Sources checked October 26, 2026

Diagram of the three planting zones near a power line: within 15 feet of the wires, trees up to 20 feet tall; 15 to 50 feet away, trees up to 40 feet; 50 feet and more, any size of tree. 15 ft 50 ft near the wires trees up to 20 ft 15 to 50 ft away trees up to 40 ft 50 ft and more any size, with soil for roots
The three zones near a power line, measured from the wires.

Measure the space a grown tree needs

A tree’s mature height and spread have to fit the space you have, above ground and below. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) notes that roots commonly spread many times wider than the crown and can reach farther out than the tree is tall.1

Before you buy, ISA suggests looking at space limits on the site, including room for sidewalks and driveways, and matching the tree’s form to the job you want it to do.2

Overhead power lines

ISA divides the ground near distribution lines into three zones:1

  • Low zone, within 15 feet on either side of the wires: trees that top out at 20 feet or less.1
  • Medium zone, 15 to 50 feet from the wires: trees that top out at 40 feet or less.1
  • Tall zone, at least 50 feet from the wires: any size of tree, if there is enough soil for its roots.1

If AES Ohio is your electric utility, its guidance is similar. It describes utility-friendly trees as small trees reaching 25 feet or less, asks that ornamental trees near lines stay at 18 feet or less and not go directly under the wires, and asks customers not to plant trees on utility rights-of-way.34

Transformers, gas lines and anything buried

  • AES Ohio asks for clear space around its transformers and similar equipment: at least 10 feet in front, 3 feet at the sides and rear, and 25 feet above.4
  • Natural gas operators often keep the ground over a pipeline, and 10 feet on each side, free of trees.1
  • Ohio law requires anyone digging to notify the utility protection service at least two working days ahead, not counting the day of the call. Dial 811.54

Small native trees to consider

All of these are native to Ohio and, by NC State’s height ranges, usually stay under about 30 feet. Check the height range against the zones above: a tree that can reach 25 or 30 feet belongs in the medium zone, not under the wires.67

One tree to skip

Callery pear, which includes the Bradford pear, is on Ohio’s official invasive plant list. Its temporary sale exemption ended on January 7, 2023, so it can no longer be sold in Ohio.8

The Ohio Invasive Plants Council suggests serviceberry, black tupelo and American plum among its replacements. More swaps are in invasive plants to remove.9

Sources

  1. Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts (brochure), International Society of Arboriculture (checked 2026-10-26).
  2. Choosing the Right Tree, International Society of Arboriculture (TreesAreGood.org) (checked 2026-10-26).
  3. Utility-friendly trees, AES Ohio (checked 2026-10-26).
  4. Right Tree, Right Place (brochure), AES Ohio (checked 2026-10-26).
  5. Ohio Revised Code 3781.28: Notice of excavation, State of Ohio (checked 2026-10-26).
  6. Selected Ohio Native Plants for Landscape and Restoration Use: Upland Woods, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (checked 2026-10-26).
  7. Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension (checked 2026-10-26).
  8. Ohio Administrative Code 901:5-30-01: Invasive plant species (effective February 13, 2023), Ohio Department of Agriculture (checked 2026-10-26).
  9. Alternatives to invasive plants, Ohio Invasive Plants Council (checked 2026-10-26).