Do I Need a Utility Locate Before Planting a Tree?
For a tree, yes. The hole goes well past a shrub's, the spade does not stop for a pipe, and the roots find the sewer lateral for the next thirty years. Move the tree a few feet instead.
Trees and shrubs
A shrub, probably not. A tree, yes.
A shrub in an existing bed, dug by hand, usually does not need a locate. A tree does. The hole goes well past a shrub's, a tree spade or a mini-excavator does not stop for a pipe, and once the tree is in, the roots go looking for water for the next thirty years and find the sewer lateral. Getting the spot right the first time is cheaper than either problem.
What is commonly under a planting spot: the irrigation main and its laterals, the sewer lateral, the water service, the gas line to the fire pit, low-voltage lighting, and the buried downspout drains. 811 marks the utility companies' lines up to your meter and stops; every one of those is past it.
The order that works. Call 811 first; it is free and takes two business days. Then have the private lines marked. Then plant, and if a spot lands on or beside a mark, move the tree a few feet. That is the whole trick.
What we do. We trace what carries a signal with an electromagnetic locator, sweep the planting area with ground-penetrating radar for what does not, and paint the results in APWA color code. No depth; a mark means not here. Anything we could not find goes in writing. Residential locates are a flat rate for the visit, and a whole yard of planting spots is one visit.
Send the address and where the trees are going through the request form, or call or text (719) 800-4937, and we send a firm number, within one business day.
Trees going in this week?
Call 811 first, then send us the address and the planting spots, or call or text (719) 800-4937. Firm quote within one business day, often the same day.