The right tree in the right place can help reduce heating and cooling costs at home and make energy service more reliable
ST. LOUIS (April 23, 2026) – This Arbor Day, Ameren is offering guidance for customers to plant trees with purpose – choosing the right spots around the home to help save energy without causing unintended issues in the future.
“Trees add beauty, shade and comfort to any home, and when they’re planted in the right place, they can also help support the reliability of the energy system our customers depend on every day,” said Josh Mahon, manager of vegetation management for Ameren Transmission. “We know customers count on us to deliver safe and reliable power and sharing suggested tree placement tips is one important way we can work together to reduce outages and keep communities powered.”
Tree-related damage to electrical equipment is a common contributor to outages, especially during storms and severe weather. Before planting, consider how large the tree will be at maturity to avoid interference with utility lines, as well as problems like lifted walkways or blocked solar panels. To learn more about proper tree management, go to Ameren.com/Planting.
For customers who have mature trees that have grown too close to energy infrastructure, Ameren has a year-round tree trimming and vegetation management efforts to help keep limbs clear of electrical equipment to maintain reliability and safety.
Excess branches are generally recycled, turned into mulch or delivered to local zoos and animal care facilities as snacks and natural enrichment for many of the animals. In 2025, Ameren recycled and donated 18 million pounds of wood branches and vegetation – nearly double the amount of steel used to build the Gateway Archway.
Smart Planting Can Save Money
Trees on your property also help keep your home more energy efficient and your energy bills lower. Consider three key factors before planting to get the greatest benefits:
2026 Tree Line USA Recognition
Ameren’s approach to tree management practices has been recognized nationally. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Ameren as a 2026 Tree Line USA recipient for its leadership in balancing safe, dependable electricity with the preservation of urban tree canopies.
“Trees strengthen our communities and make our neighborhoods healthier in so many ways. But they need us to plant and care for them, which is why it is so important that utilities do their part to help urban forests thrive,” said Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Ameren demonstrates that safe and reliable electricity doesn’t need to come at the expense of tree canopies. They are setting a positive example for their community, and we’re proud to have them as part of our national network of forward-thinking service providers.”
About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 67,700-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.