Treeland's Responsibility
Please be aware that digging holes to plant trees, using metal or wooden stakes to secure them, or using an axe to remove existing trees involves the risk of damaging utilities in your yard. For the safety of our customers and employees and to follow State laws, Treeland must contact Texas811 before each delivery.
Texas811 is a notification center that alerts all public utility operators responsible for electricity, gas, and communication lines. These operators will visit the property and mark their underground facilities by spraying paint on the grass or placing utility flags.
Utility operators only mark the lines and facilities that they own and maintain, up to the point of delivery (typically the meter). Lines or facilities beyond that point will not be marked.
Customer's Responsibility
Private Utilities
Some utilities are not located through Texas811—these are considered private utilities. Treeland does not locate private utilities in advance of delivery. It is the customer's responsibility to decide whether to hire a professional locator for these lines.
If a customer chooses not to have private utilities located, Treeland assumes no financial responsibility for any damages or repair costs. Casual pointing out or mentioning the location of private lines to our crew is not sufficient to mark a utility line.
Proper markings must be made using flags and/or spray paint, and the line should be within one foot of the marking on either side. If private utilities are correctly marked and are still damaged, Treeland will take financial responsibility for repairs or reimburse the customer for costs. For private lines not properly marked by the homeowner, Treeland will not take financial responsibility.
Utilities Not Marked by Texas811
- Main gas lines running from the meter to the house (if the meter is not located next to the house)
- Gas lines serving outdoor kitchens, fireplaces/firepits, or swimming pools
- Propane tanks and lines
- Main water lines
- Sprinkler pipe and drip irrigation
- Poly tubing for bubblers
- Sprinkler wire
- Septic systems
- Swimming pool water and electric lines
- Electric lanterns and landscape lighting
Private Gas Lines
Gas lines are the most critical utility we encounter because of the risks they pose to both customers and our crew.
Utility Provider's Responsibility
All gas lines leading to the meter are maintained and marked by the utility provider when we contact Texas811.
Customer's Responsibility
Gas lines that run from the meter into the house are considered private utilities and must be maintained and located by the customer. As with electricity, everything after the meter is the homeowner's responsibility.
Meter Location Matters
- If your gas meter is located next to your house, the entire gas line will be marked by the utility provider.
- If your meter is located at the street or alley (away from the house), the provider will only mark the line up to the meter. The private gas line running from the meter to the house will remain unmarked.
Customer Options
- Customers may choose whether or not to hire a private utility locator to mark these lines.
- If a customer elects not to have private gas lines located, Treeland assumes no financial responsibility for any damages or repair costs.
Recommended Private Utility Locators for Marking Private Lines
GPRS – 469-332-6429
Wood Inspection Services – 972-724-5550
Irrigation & Main Water Lines
The most common private utilities we encounter are main water lines, sprinkler pipes, and drip irrigation.
- Customer Responsibility: Because of the expense of hiring plumbers, irrigators, or private utility locators, most customers choose not to have these utilities located. If a customer elects not to have them located, Treeland assumes no financial responsibility for any damages or repair costs.
- Sprinkler & Drip Irrigation Lines: These are generally inexpensive and simple to repair as a DIY project. Parts such as compression or barbed couplers usually cost only a few dollars.
Main Water Lines
- Not all public water providers will mark water lines. For providers that do, markings typically extend only up to the meter; they will not mark the water line from the meter to the house.
- To have this line located, customers must hire a plumber or private utility locator.
- If our crew damages a main water line, it generally cannot be repaired by the homeowner. A plumber will need to be called, and repairs usually cost $250–$350.
Accuracy of Markings
- Knowing the locations of sprinkler heads or bubblers above ground does not indicate pipe routes underground.
- Casual pointing or verbal directions are not accurate enough to prevent damage.
- Proper markings must be made with flags and/or spray paint, and utilities should be within one foot of either side of the marking.
Treeland's Responsibility
If private utilities are correctly marked and damage still occurs, Treeland will take financial responsibility for repairs or reimburse the customer.
When a Utility is Cut or Broken
If Treeland's crew encounters a cut or broken utility while planting, the customer will be asked if the tree can be planted in an alternate location. If the customer agrees, the crew will continue with the adjusted placement. If the customer declines, the tree will be returned to the farm until the utility is repaired.
In either case, our crew will expose the damaged area so the issue can be addressed. Please note: this may leave the job unfinished, so customers should confirm that their contractor will clean up the yard and cover the hole after repairs are made.
If Damage is Found After Planting
- If a stake caused the damage, Treeland will return and restake the tree at no charge.
- If the damage is below the root ball and the contractor cannot repair the utility, Treeland will dig up and replant the tree at no cost to the customer.
Planting Next to Utilities
When our delivery crew arrives, they will review the customer's requested tree placement. To avoid damaging any utilities, Treeland will not plant, remove trees, or excavate within 18 inches of any marked utility line. The chart below shows the minimum distance required between a marked utility line and the center of a tree trunk.
If a customer wishes to plant trees closer than the specified distances, Treeland can deliver the trees without planting, but another company (such as a landscaper or mowing crew) must handle the planting.