Saving energy has become a goal for all of us. And what may surprise you is that there is a way to save energy right in your own yard — by planting trees and shrubs. Not only can they make your home, neighborhoods and communities more beautiful and add value to real estate, proper landscaping can also help reduce energy costs by providing shelter from the wind and sun.

Some trees and shrubs are best suited for shading when planted in certain areas, while others work well to create natural windbreaks during strong winter winds. They should be selected and planted with care in appropriate locations so you can gain the full benefit of energy savings.

Just as important, there are places where the planting of trees must be avoided to reduce the possibility of contact with power lines and possible disruption of service for you and your neighbors. In fact, tree contact is the single leading cause of electric service interruptions to our customers. That's why we do everything we can to strike a healthy balance between our appreciation for trees and our obligation to provide safe, reliable electric service.

The following Web pages not only describe how you can save energy, but also discuss the proper placement of trees and shrubs to avoid power line conflicts.

The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. a "Tree Line USA Utility" in recognition of its "national leadership in caring for trees while meeting service objectives."