We moved here just over two years ago. Less than a month after getting here, the electric transformer on the property line between us and a neighbor blew up - not talking a fiery explosion, just a big thump. The power company arrived and diagnosed the problem and then we had to wait until a replacement transformer arrived from somewhere. This transformer served about five houses - us, our neighbors on both sides, and several houses across the street. Several hours later, the replacement arrived and a large truck with a crane lifted the old transformer out and the replacement in. About 11:00pm the power came back on. The next day, a guy from the power company came by to warn us our power would be out again the next day as they were sending a grounds crew in to remove the soil that had been contaminated by the cooling oil in the old transformer when it blew. They lifted the transformer out and dug under it and several feet around it to get all the oil soaked dirt out and then filled it back with new soil. Back went the transformer and they put some sod around on the bare dirt. And that, my friends, is why you don't want to plant anything too close to the utility box.
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