Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

Houston may ban tall-tree planting under lines | Top stories | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "For years, utility companies admonished people to “look before you dig” when getting ready for a backyard project. City Council on Wednesday may add a little direction to that for those planting trees: Look up.

A proposed ordinance before council would prohibit the planting of tall trees, including live oaks, under power lines. The measure originally was intended to strengthen existing rules to protect trees in public rights of way from being cut down or hacked up by developers.

But the proposed ban on planting live oaks under electric lines — a last-minute addition to the measure — has a vocal group of tree lovers dismayed. Their main complaint centers on the live oak’s usefulness for hiding power lines."