Can I grow a service berry by my utilty boxes?
Question:I want to plant something in front of the utily boxes in my backyard corner. Will planting a 7 foot serviceberry be a problem with roots etc.???
Answers:
A tree's roots usually extend out two and halve times the width of the crown. A serviceberry crown will grow to 15-25' wide. That means the roots can extend 18 to 32 feet out from the trunk (radius). If the utility boxes are in that area, the utility companies have the right to dig through your trees roots and have no liability if your tree dies. Just give your tree some room from the boxes & you should be OK. Also,a Serviceberry tends to hold its foliage up high and may not be the best choice for hiding utility boxes. Here are some picts of different serviceberry species:
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/a...
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/a...
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/a...
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/a...
It shouldn't be a problem, so long as you keep it trimmed back enough that utility employees have full access to the boxes. Where I live, they come in with chain saws and cut down whatever vegetation prevents them from getting at their equipment, without notification or recourse.
Better might be to plant it in the line of sight between your house and the utilities, but several feet away. Sure beats looking at grey boxes!
In addition to Maryn's advice, you might want to call the utility company and ask them. At a minimum, you will want them to mark the location of buried cables. The likely hood of you digging deep enough to hit one is remote, but better safe than sorry.
I had a double-file virbunum in front of my electric meter. The electric company told me to cut it back or they would have to cut off my electric (since they couldn't read the meter).
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