.jpg){kind=small}
Call before you dig! When planting trees or shrubs, you will need to dig a hole only as deep as the root ball, which is generally less than 18 inches. However, utility lines are under your lawn and are dangerous if cut!
"811" is a free service that marks all underground lines in your yard for gas, electricity, water, and phone. On the call, you will be asked how deeply you plan to dig and when. A service order will be set up to schedule a site visit at your address in a few days. By calling "811" you only make one call, no matter how many utilities run across your property, no matter what city or county in the state.
With a few days notice, a trained representative will come out with special equipment to flag and mark all underground utility lines. A different color of spray paint and flag is used for each type of utility to "spot" mark the line across the yard. The lines are detected without any digging by the service representative. Accuracy of the markings is guaranteed for two weeks if you plant within that time. If for some reason you are unable to dig and plant within two weeks, you may call 811 again when you are ready to plant. They will send out another representative to re-mark the lines, at no charge, and guarantee accuracy for the next two weeks.
Susan Linnard, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service