A bout of wind has a way of pointing out mistakes when it comes to trees. Last week's windstorm left more than a million people on the west side without power. One of the major culprits in the loss of electricity, and even some lives, were trees.

If only some people would look up when they plant a tree and realize that as the tree grows there could be a conflict between utility lines and their tree in the future. When you plant a "baby" 2- or 3-foot tree it's hard to imagine it growing all the way up to the wires.

If there is a potential for conflict, locate the tree elsewhere or pick a smaller species. It's hard to find good planting sites for tall trees (ones that grow more than 40 feet tall). If you insist on planting tall trees, especially fast-growing trees, beneath power lines, you are asking for trouble.

When trees reach up to the power lines, your utility will prune them to ensure there is safe clearance. Their techniques seldom leave a tree with its natural framework and inherent beauty. In the past, the utilities' requirements dictated topping or shearing, but most now practice what's called directional pruning. They prune in a way that directs regrowth away from the wires. (Topping resulted in vigorous regrowth directed right back into the wires.) The tree's health is better maintained than with topping or shearing, but the tree still ends up with a disfigured appearance. While your company may not charge you directly for their pruning, repeated pruning costs all of us money as part of our bills.

I would hate to see us all eschew the planting of tall trees. We just have to plant shade trees where they can grow without restrictive pruning. They should be at least 35 feet away from the house, structures or driveways and at least 50 feet from utility lines. Medium-size trees, those that grow 30 to 40 feet tall, still should be given space to allow for their mature height and width. The only types of trees and shrubs that can be safely planted beneath or near utility lines are those that grow less than 20 feet.

Also, while trees and underground utilities can coexist for a long time, a conflict can arise if the lines need repair. Root damage due to excavation can lead to a tree with compromised stability and health. You should a plant a tree far enough away from underground lines to protect it from digging for repair work.

Tree failure (falling over or splitting apart) is another major reason for power loss in violent winds. Many large, older trees have developed internal wood rot, compromising the structural integrity. In landscape trees, it's often the result of poor pruning practices, especially topping and bad pruning cuts. Soft-wooded, fast-growing trees such as willow, silver maple and poplar are prone to wood rot and are often the types of trees with the most failure in wind storms. The blame goes to whoever pruned it improperly. If you have big, old trees on your property, you should consider consulting a certified arborist regarding their soundness and stability. If a tree is hazardous, a certified arborist will recommend removal or specific pruning to diminish the hazard.

Poor root stability can cause trees to be uprooted and blown over because of root damage due to excavation or because of shallow root systems caused by compacted soils, shallow watering and limited soil volume.

It's important to plant trees, but be careful where you plant them and how you take care of them. If we don't fail them, they won't fail us in a windstorm.

* Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Office in Benton County.