Can I Plant Trees in an Easement?

Planting trees can bring numerous benefits to your property and the environment as a whole. They can improve air and water quality, provide shade, and increase the aesthetic value of your landscape. However, before you put those saplings in the ground, it's essential to know whether you can plant trees in an easement.

What is an Easement?

An easement is a legal agreement between a property owner and another party, typically a utility company or municipality. The agreement grants the other party the right to use a portion of the property for a specific purpose, such as installing power lines, gas pipelines, water mains, or sewer lines.

Utility companies often require easements to operate and maintain their infrastructure, ensuring reliable and safe service. In some cases, the government may also use easements for public projects like highways, sidewalks, and parks.

Can You Plant Trees in an Easement?

The short answer is no, you cannot plant trees in an easement. Easements give the other party specific rights to use and access the property, and planting trees can impede those rights. Trees can block access to power lines or obstruct maintenance of gas pipelines or water mains.

Moreover, planting trees in an easement can result in legal liabilities for property owners. If a tree damages the infrastructure or causes injury to the utility or government worker, the property owner may be liable for the damage or injury.

What are the Alternatives to Planting Trees in Easements?

Fortunately, there are many alternatives to planting trees in easements that can still improve your property's environment and value. Here are some ideas:

Plant trees away from easements: If your property offers enough space, consider planting trees away from easements, ensuring they won't interfere with any infrastructure. This will still provide you with the benefits of having trees while protecting the easement agreement.

Plant shrubs and vegetation: Shrubs and other types of vegetation that do not grow as tall as trees can still add value to your property and improve the environment without interfering with easements.

Create a rain garden: A rain garden is an eco-friendly landscaping feature that collects runoff water and allows it to seep into the ground, preventing soil erosion and improving water quality. It is a beautiful way to add vegetation to your property and protect the environment.

Conclusion

Planting trees can provide excellent benefits for your property, but you must know where you can plant them. Planting trees in easements is not allowed, as it can impede the rights of utility companies and government entities. However, many alternatives can still provide you with the benefits of having trees while respecting easement agreements, such as planting trees away from easements or adding shrubs, native grasses, or a rain garden.