Tree Trimming and Distribution Lines

Distribution Lines

Living in America’s most forested state is incredibly special but also presents challenges. Tree Care is an important part of our maintenance plan to reduce the impact to our customers of tree-related outages.

Six-Year Maintenance Cycle for Power Reliability

As part of our Tree Care Program, we are establishing a new six-year tree trimming cycle (2024 – 2029) to reduce tree-related outages in the communities we serve. We will prune trees along every mile of our distribution lines every six years – that’s more than 24,000 miles of wires!

To deliver reliable power to you, we prune branches that could interfere with power lines. In addition to improving power reliability, we trim to provide a safe environment for the public and other utility workers. Our licensed arborists coordinate with qualified tree crews as well as local towns to make sure the job is done right. Our authorized trim zone around distribution lines is 8 feet to either side, 15 feet above and 10 feet below the wires. 

Hazard tree program

Most of the tree caused outages are the result of trees that are beyond our maintenance specifications. Our hazard tree program focuses on trees that may cause an outage even if they are out of the approved trim zone.

Pruning trees – includes removing vegetation and trees within 8 feet to the side, 15 feet above and 10 feet below the distribution power lines. We also trim long limbs above the lines and limbs that are, dead, dying, diseased or structurally weak. 

Removing trees – includes dead, dying, diseased and leaning trees outside of the trim zone. We remove trees that may interfere with the power lines or have compromised root systems, structural defects or a heavy lean toward the lines.

Did you know?

Forty-one percent of non-storm related outages are caused by trees. Our six-year maintenance plan is designed to help reduce tree related power outages.