This Arbor Day, Consumers Energy Encourages Michigan Residents to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

JACKSON, Mich., April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With Arbor Day being celebrated on Friday, Consumers Energy is reminding Michigan residents to choose the right tree for the right place as they plant and to always call MISS DIG 811 before putting a shovel in the ground.

"Spring is a great time of year to plant trees and do work around the house. We want to encourage people to plant the right tree in the right place and to dig safely as they carry out tree planting projects," said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric operations.

The energy provider also encourages people to plant appropriate tree species and suitable sites in locations that are near electric lines. People can learn more through www.ConsumersEnergy.com/forestry or the "Right Tree Right Place" program developed by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Anyone performing a digging project should take action to avoid underground utilities by first contacting MISS DIG 811. Even projects like planting bushes require contacting MISS DIG by calling 8-1-1 or going to www.missdig811.org at least three working days before you dig.

Consumers Energy spent over $50 million statewide on work to clear trees from power lines last year, leading to continued improvements in electric reliability for customers.

Last year, Consumers Energy also provided grants that allowed 56 communities to plant nearly 1,300 trees throughout the Lower Peninsula. Information about this year's community tree planting grants will be available later this summer.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

LEARN MORE: Learn more about Consumers Energy's forestry work: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/forestry.

RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE: Trees should not be planted under high-voltage transmission lines, which transmit electricity across the state. Only certain trees should be planted under distribution lines – the power lines that serve communities and households. Learn more: www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace

QUESTIONS: Call 1-800-477-5050 if you have questions about forestry work where you live.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

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