Tree Trimming

Why We Trim Trees

A tree planted in the right location can make your home and community a lovely place to live. In the summer, trees shade your house from the summer sun, reducing temperatures indoors. In the winter, trees block your home from the cold winter winds. These same trees can cause real trouble when it comes to providing you reliable electric service.

Trees planted under or near power lines are a potentially dangerous hazard. Serious or fatal shocks can occur when working near or playing in trees near power lines. Trees that branch into our electrical lines can cause momentary short circuits (flickering lights) or major outages when combined with thunderstorms, high winds or sleet and snow.

Which Trees We Trim/Remove

Trees that grow into power lines cause unnecessary power outages. Prevention is key and that is why Tipmont REMC trims trees as part of our on-going maintenance program. We trim away branches growing through or around our lines. We also remove branches growing above lines, where snow or ice could cause branches to sag or fall onto live lines. It is also sometimes necessary to target entire trees.  These include trees that are weak, diseased, drying or severely damaged. It may also include trees that would have to be trimmed so much that they would not survive or would be very unsightly.  Typically, if more than ¼ of the crown or the main stem of a tree is removed, its overall health is severely affected. This is why the “topping” of trees is almost always discouraged.

Tipmont REMC pays for the tree trimming done in your neighborhood. When we trim or remove a tree, we clean up the area and haul away the brush. Logs too large to be mulched and hauled away (usually 6 inches in diameter and larger) are cut into more manageable lengths and left on site for the property owner’s disposal.  When storms knock trees into our lines, we do not clean up or remove debris left behind.

How We Trim Trees

Tipmont REMC hires professional tree-trimming contractors that specialize in this type of work. All of these tree trimmers are trained in and practice ANSI 300 standards for trimming trees (guidelines for preserving each tree’s health and longevity). Currently, Tipmont contracts with local tree trimming crews.

The following codes are used to mark trees:

• Blue dot= tree to be trimmed
• Blue X= tree to be removed; wood left for customer's disposal
• Blue line=  brush (to be removed)

Beginning April 2010, blue paint will be used to mark all trees.  Work on any trees still marked in orange paint will be completed by the end of April 2010. 

Planning and Planting For The Future

You can assist us in this effort by planting trees in the right location. By following a few basic guidelines you can add value to your home without causing unnecessary power outages.

A few tips to consider prior to planting trees:

• Before you dig, call 811 to locate any underground power lines
• Deciduous (leaf dropping) trees should be planted on the south and west sides of your home to cool in summer and allow sun to enter the house in the winter
• Evergreen trees should be planted on the north of your home to serve as a windbreak against cold northern winds
• Trees planted within 15 feet of electric lines should be no more than 20 feet tall when fully grown
• Trees planted within 15 to 30 feet of electrical lines should be no more than 30 feet tall when fully grown.

If you have questions about Tipmont's tree-trimming practices or if you want more information about planting trees near power lines, send us an email or call us toll-free at 800.726.3953 and ask for our tree-trimming specialist.