Tree Planting Guidelines near Power Lines

Legal basis and policy purpose

The Order is issued pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement dated 21 May 1997 entered into by and among the DENR and other government and non-government agencies/organizations.
The Memorandum of Agreement is for the purpose of reducing non-technical losses, particularly on electric power distribution.
The Order requires active linkages and proper coordination among agencies involved in tree planting and electric power distribution.
The Order is designed to reduce power distribution losses, particularly non-technical losses.
The Order expressly requires public safety, continuous electric services, and promotion of aesthetic surroundings.

Key definitions for program implementation

A Distribution line is defined as power lines designed to distribute power within a populated area.
An Infrastructure is defined as a structure constructed in the project site, such as waiting sheds, roads, alleys, and pathwalks.
Non-technical losses are defined as wastages due to power interruptions caused by outside factors/elements such as typhoons, overtopping trees, and entangled kites.
A Program is defined as the Tree Planting Activities within power line distribution systems.
A Project Site is the designated area within power line distribution systems planted or to be planted with trees.
A Transmission line is defined as a kind of electric/power lines designed to distribute power within a populated area.
A Utility line is defined as a type of distribution/transmission line designed for a particular use/purpose.

Objectives and coverage of activities

The Order establishes an organized and systematic tree planting activity within electric power line system areas to reduce power distribution losses, particularly non-technical losses.
The Order coordinates tree planting with electric power distribution operations to ensure public safety and continuous electric services.
The Order promotes aesthetic surroundings through tree planting in designated power line system areas.
The Order applies to identified project sites within power line distribution systems where trees/shrubs are planted or maintained in relation to electric lines.

Species selection and planting design rules

The species to be planted are determined by the DENR with the concurrence of cooperating agencies/organizations based on the project site’s size, location, and climatic and edaphic conditions.
Ornamental trees/plants may be planted along the side of the utility line using at least three (3) meters distance.
Shrubs/garden plants may be planted along the line and on alleys and pathways.
Trees/plants that are hosts to insects and diseases attacking crops and orchards should not be used as planting materials.

Recommended species for ornamental trees/plants

The Order recommends the following ornamental trees/plants, subject to the DENR determination with concurrence: Candle Tree (Parmentiera cerifera); Buttercup Tree (Cochlospermum vitifolium); Hongkong Tree (Bauhinia blakeana); Pencil Cedar (Juniperus virginiana); Portuguese Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica); McArthur Palm (Actinophloeus macarthurii); Balitbitan (Cynometra ramiflora); Bottle Palm (Mascarena lagenicaulis); Palmera (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens); Kalachuche (Plumeria spp.); Pink shower (Cassia nodosa); Katmon (Dillenia philippinensis); Malakatmon (D. luzoniensis); and Dungo/Balete (Ficus pubinervis).

Recommended species for shrubs/garden plants

The Order recommends the following shrubs/garden plants, subject to DENR determination with concurrence: Fireball (Calliandra haematacephala); Buddha bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa); Baston de San Jose (Cordyline terminalis); Tigre (Sanseviera prain var. laurentii); Yellow Plantain (Heliconia bihai); Red Leaf Heliconia (Heliconia metallica); False Bird of Paradise (Heliconia platystachys); Narrow Leaf Heliconia (Heliconia psittacorrum); Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima); Gumamela (Hibiscus spp.); Yellow Bell (Solandra pulcherrima); Bougainvilla spp.; Sampaguita (Jasminium sampac); Rubia (Rubia); and Balatbat /B. bilog (Licuala spp.).

Spacing, clearance, and planting method

Spacing must be based on the species’ full growth at maturity.
Ornamental trees along the utility line must be planted with at least 3 m distance.
Ornamental trees must have a horizontal and vertical clearance of 3.1 meters (10 feet) from transmission lines by the time they reach maturity.
Ornamental trees’ side and overhanging branches must maintain clearance of 1.86 m–3.1 m (6–10 feet) from utility lines.
Ornamental trees’ top branches must maintain clearance of 1.24 to 1.86 m (4 to 6 ft) from utility lines.
Bamboos, coconuts, and other high growing palms must not be planted under or within 6 meters distance opposite existing overhead lines.
Garden plants may be planted along electric lines and on alleys and pathways because they do not have primary branches and a single woody stem.
Planting must be done in straight lines or rows to properly monitor growth and to facilitate trimming and pruning activities.
The Implementing Guidelines for Landscape Development in Metropolitan Manila, prepared by the MMDA and DENR, serve as guide for this Program.
Planting in designated areas within subdivisions must adopt HLURB Administrative Order No. 2 dated April 12, 1994 re: Supplemental Rules and Regulations to Implement PD 953.

Protection, maintenance, and trimming control

Each participating agency/organization is responsible for the protection and maintenance of its respective areas.
Trimming/pruning/cutting of trees, including palms and shrubs, that disrupt electric power distribution is conducted by MERALCO for Metro Manila and by electric cooperatives/corporations for the provinces.
Trimming/pruning/cutting must be supported by a prior permit from the local DENR office concerned for trees in public or forest lands or naturally growing trees.
Trimming/pruning/cutting of trees within private lands requires a certification from the local DENR office concerned.
Trimming/pruning must cut branches as close as possible to the outside of the branch collar.
Trees must be earthballed and transferred to a suitable place rather than cut or topped.
These activities must be under the supervision of technical DENR personnel.
Cutting of trees in these areas is restricted and allowed only when the Order’s conditions are met:
- The tree is dead or defective and/or posing hazards to people.
- The tree poses a barrier to unavoidable infrastructures being built or improved.
- Existing infrastructures such as pavements and/or fences show indications of being destroyed by the root systems of the subject tree.

Planting materials, monitoring, and reporting

The concerned DENR office is responsible for identifying and sourcing good quality planting stock.
Participating agencies must produce their own planting materials.
When and where available, the DENR provides tree seedlings.
Concerned DENR offices conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation of established/developed project areas under the Program.
A status report on Program implementation must be submitted quarterly to the DENR Secretary, with a copy furnished to the DOE.

Roles of participating agencies and partners

The DENR is the spearhead of the Program and provides technical assistance in choosing suitable species and proper planting techniques.
The DENR must provide planting materials when and where available.
The DENR issues necessary permits to trim/prune/cut trees including palms and shrubs.
Each participating agency/organization must protect and maintain its respective areas.
Each concerned sector must protect naturally-grown trees found in its designated planting area.
Appropriate silvicultural treatments and techniques must be adopted for both planted and naturally-grown trees.
MERALCO and members of PHILRECA and PEPOA, with assistance of DOE, NEA, DILG, and PIA, must conduct an information campaign on the Tree Planting Guidelines.
MERALCO and members of PHILRECA and PEPOA must submit to the DOE quarterly status report on implementation of the information campaign.
The DILG, with assistance of NEA, must facilitate coordination between utilities and LGUs and must mandate LGUs to circulate copies of the guidelines.
The DPWH must endeavor to comply with the guidelines in the design and construction of national roads and other infrastructure projects.
The DECS—in coordination with DOE, NEA, PHILRECA, PEPOA, and MERALCO—must emphasize the importance of citizen cooperation/contributions for “Safe Electricity Distribution Operations” in teaching relevant science subjects.
The DECS must also prepare modules for ready use by elementary and secondary school teachers and students in the field.

Penalty for cutting and damaging trees

Any person who cuts, destroys, damages, or injures naturally growing or planted trees of any kind, flowering or ornamental plants and shrubs, and plants of scenic or aesthetic and ecological values within identified established project sites must be punished in accordance with Section 3 of PD 953.
Punishment under Section 3 of PD 953 does not apply when the cutting, destroying, damaging, or injuring is necessary to enhance beauty, or when it is otherwise allowed under Section 3.3 of this Order.
If the offender is a public officer or employee, the offender must also be dismissed from the public service and disqualified perpetually to hold office.

Supersession and effectivity

This Order supersedes all Department Orders, Circulars, and/or Memoranda inconsistent with it.
This Order takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.