Planting Trees This Spring? Don’t Forget What’s Underground
Spring is prime time for planting trees, especially around Earth Day and Arbor Day. Whether you’re adding a sapling to your backyard, participating in a neighborhood beautification project, or volunteering with a community group, there’s one important step that often gets overlooked: locating underground internet and utility cables before you dig.
At Smithville, we want your tree‑planting efforts to help the environment without risking injury, service interruptions, or costly repairs.
Underground Internet Cables May Be Closer Than You Think
Many people are surprised to learn how shallow underground utilities can be. Fiber‑optic internet cables, electric lines, gas lines, and water services aren’t always buried as deep as expected. Ground erosion, landscaping changes, or previous construction projects can leave these lines only a few inches below the surface.
Hitting an underground internet cable can:
- Disrupt service for you and your neighbors
- Result in expensive repair costs or fines
- Delay community projects and volunteer efforts
- Create serious safety hazards
Even small digging projects can cause big problems if underground lines aren’t identified first.
Call 811 Before You Dig: It’s the Law and It’s Free
Before you begin digging, call 811 or submit a request online at least two full business days in advance. In Indiana, all 811 requests are routed to Indiana 811, which coordinates with local utility providers, including internet service operators like Smithville.
Here’s how the process works:
- You contact 811 with your planned digging location
- Indiana 811 notifies all utility owners in the area (including Smithville)
- Professional locators visit the site
- Underground lines like internet cables are marked with flags or spray paint
Once the markings are in place, you can dig carefully around those areas and continue your project safely.
You Are Responsible
If you’re planning an Earth Day or Arbor Day project, it’s important to know that you are responsible for requesting utility markings. That responsibility applies whether you’re planting one tree or dozens.
Taking a few minutes to contact 811 helps safeguard underground internet infrastructure and essential utility services. It also protects your safety, time, budget and peace of mind.
Protect the Environment Above and Below Ground
Planting trees is a meaningful way to support a greener future. Making one simple phone call ensures that your efforts don’t accidentally damage the underground network that keeps our communities connected.
Before you dig this spring, remember:
✅ Call 811 or visit https://indiana811.org/
✅ Wait for lines to be marked
✅ Dig with care around underground utilities
For more information about the call‑before‑you‑dig process, visit indiana811.org.
