Development of Utility Line Arboreta
Steps, Components, and Estimated Basic Costs

  • Obtain a site where planting, maintenance and especially pruning for height control are under your control if possible (ie. many street tree situations mean someone else controls maintenance, which may be counter to your objectives). Possible locations: city and county parks, school and university grounds, botanical gardens and arboreta, community centers, etc. A utility line arboretum can also be developed along a street but be aware of energized overhead utility lines that may limit your activities.
    COST: 0 (or fill in your cost if land must be purchased, leased, etc.).
  • Install one or more spans of lines; work with the local utility so that they provide this free.
    COST: 0
  • Layout planting design. Leave 20’–25’between each tree. See example of the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s Utility Line Arboretum.
    COST: tape measure, flags.
  • Prepare planting sites either as individual planting holes or entire planting rows.
    COST: soil prep; Roundup to kill vegetation.
  • Purchase trees. Purchase 1”-1 ½”caliper if available (not larger). Try to purchase locally grown and acclimated trees.
    COST: average of $50-$75/tree (wholesale). Consult the directory or website of your state nursery association for in-state availability.
  • Install trees. Use city employees and equipment or volunteers.
    COST: 0
  • Mulch trees. Recycle line clearance chips or similar material whenever possible.
    COST: 0
  • Install an information sign (project name, cooperators, funding, etc.).
    COST: $100-$200 (may be available free from the city park department, a local technical school, etc.).
  • Tag individual trees with common and Latin names.
    COST: depends on tagging method - $2-$5/tree.

If you are developing your utility line arboretum with grant funding there are many items – land, labor, etc. –t hat can be used as a match for your grant.

Developed by:
Dr. Bonnie Lee Appleton, Professor of Horticulture
Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech
1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
757.363.3906; fax 757.363.3950

Developed with a grant from the National Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Council.

Forestry in My County
Learn more about the county where you live.

Forestry Consultants
Find a forestry consultant in Virginia.

Logging Notification
Loggers must notify us of their timber harvests.

Urban and Community Forestry
Do you live in a suburb? Learn how trees benefit cities and towns.

Rain Gardens
These man-made depressions in the ground collect water runoff and store it, so it can be filtered and slowly absorbed by the soil.

In our Web Store...

Native Trees of Virginia
The most common native tree species found in Virginia's forests are described in this handsome 120-page book.The most common native tree species found in Virginia's forests are described with images of leaves, twigs, flowers and/or fruit to aid in identification.

See what people are saying about our book!

Purchase your copy online through our Web Store or pay by check when you order by mail.