SAN DIEGO, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In advance of Arbor Day, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is reminding customers to plant the "Right Tree" in the "Right Place." SDG&E recommends selecting trees that are compatible with overhead power lines, and to call Underground Service Alert at 8-1-1 to mark out underground utility lines before planting. 

The "Right Tree, Right Place" program also offers customers a free tree removal and replacement for incompatible trees that are currently being pruned under the electrical high voltage lines.   

"At SDG&E our highly skilled vegetation management teams monitor more than 425,000 trees each year to look for any vegetation that may pose a potential hazard or reliability concern," said David L. Geier, vice president of electric operations for SDG&E. "Our vegetation management efforts are working. In 2012, SDG&E customers experienced the fewest number of tree-related outages since records were kept."

For 10 consecutive years, SDG&E has been recognized as a Tree Line USA® Utility. This program recognizes public and private utilities throughout the nation that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America's urban forests. Qualification for the certification includes industry standard quality tree care, annual worker training, and tree planting and public education. 

As part of SDG&E's commitment to proper tree care and public education, SDG&E is participating in several Arbor Day events around the county, including:

• Friends of Balboa Park, Tree Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 at Balboa Park (Quince Street, between Balboa Dr. & 6th Ave.)
• Carlsbad Arbor Day Celebration: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Calavera Hills Community Park
• SanTree Fest: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Town Center Community Park East

Customers can call (800) 411-SDGE or visit sdge.com/safety to learn more about the "Right Tree, Right Place" program.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 860,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.  Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.

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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric