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Tree Trimming

Why We Trim

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Reliability

  • Trees that are too close to power lines can interfere with electric service, especially when the weather brings lightning or high winds. For reliability and compliance with the National Electric Safety Code, we prune or remove trees that threaten electric service.

  • Pruning helps prevent power outages. Since trees are a leading cause of electric outages, one of the best ways to reduce interruptions for customers is to maintain adequate clearance (fifteen feet minimum) between trees and power lines by pruning on a regular basis. Pruning helps to ensure that your power stays on during gusty winds and thunderstorms.

  • Well-maintained rights of way allow easier access for personnel and vehicles during storm restoration. By maintaining this access to our facilities, we can get all customers' power restored more efficiently and safely.

  • Trees that are properly pruned to ANSI A300 standards are much more likely to maintain a healthy structure and appearance. DCREMC specifications call for our contractors to trim to these standards.

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Safety

  • DCREMC is committed to maintaining our facilities in a manner that helps promote the safety of employees, the community, and our members. For this reason, DCREMC does not encourage customers or untrained contractors to prune trees near power lines. DCREMC utilizes only qualified line-clearance contractors who have been specially trained to work safely around our facilities. For your safety and the safety of others, please contact DCREMC before working near or trimming any branches in the vicinity of power lines.

  • If you are planning to remove or trim a tree near our power lines or if a tree leans excessively toward our lines, please see the Tree Trimming section.

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Other Reasons Why We Trim

  • Proper utility pruning reduces hazards resulting from falling trees and limbs, which can cause wires to break or sag to the ground and present a danger to motorists and pedestrians.

  • Overgrown trees or limbs near power lines pose a danger to unsuspecting children who could come in contact with a live line while climbing a tree.

  • Directional pruning allows us to train the tree to grow away from power lines by removing only the branches that come in contact with the wires. By selectively trimming the tree's branches, we can retain much of the tree's natural crown.

  • To assure Cooperative members that unnecessary costs are not incurred because of damage or power losses due to poor right-of-way.

How We Trim

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DCREMC’s tree trimming contractor follows guidelines set forth by the Utility Arborist Association, Tree Care Industry Association, and the National Electric Safety Code. All crews are professionally trained to recognize hazardous situations and use proper pruning techniques to correct those situations. They use directional pruning, which removes entire branches and limbs to the main tree trunk or large lateral branch. This technique directs future growth away from power lines, reduces re-growth and protects the tree from decay while preserving as much beauty as possible. We avoid tree topping because topped trees can quickly regain their original height and the large number of fast-growing sprouts are susceptible to breakage and storm damage.​

When We Trim

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Trimming cycles are highly dependent on tree growth rates and types of electric facilities in the area.

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Scheduled Vegetation Control

 

Scheduled Vegetation Control- Line Clearing and brush control performed on a cycle or periodic basis.

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The Members shall do the following:

  • Allow DCREMC employees or its representative access to the overhead power lines for vegetation control.

  • Allow for vegetation control to meet NESC requirements and right-of-way widths specified in the easements.

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The Cooperative shall do the following:

  • Identify sections of primary lines needing vegetation control, which are not in compliance with the National Electrical Safety Code.

  • Budget funding for identified work.

  • Contact Property Owners of line sections to be cleared.

  • Perform the work identified for scheduled vegetation control.

    • Follow accepted clearing and brushing methods identified in the current ANSI Standards.

    • Provide traffic control, as needed.

    • Trim vegetation or cut brush within the right-of-way.

    • Dispose of the cuttings by spreading the material, chipping the cuttings, or stacking it for burning later.

    • For large areas, consider the use of EPA approved herbicides for the control of the brush.

      • Inform the property owners of its use.

      • Meet all Indiana State Chemist licensing and testing requirements.

      • Follow the label directions by the Product manufacturer.

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When we schedule trimming in your area that includes trees on your property, a Company Representative will contact you personally, in-person, on the phone or by leaving a door hanger before trimming and removing trees and limbs too close to our power lines.

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  • You do not incur any charges for required tree trimming work.

  • Crews only perform work needed to maintain reliable electric service.

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  • Requests for Vegetation Removal by Members

    • The Cooperative will provide members with assistance by dropping service wires for purposes of removing vegetation where appropriate, at no cost to the member during normal hours of operation.

      • The Cooperative shall lower service lines and reattach the service once the vegetation is removed.

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  • The Member shall:

    • Contact DCREMC for assistance with vegetation removal.

    • Schedule the service drop or any secondary service to be dropped at least 3 working days ahead of time during normal hours of operation.

    • Arrange for the removal of all non-threatening vegetation to DCREMC facilities.

    • Clean up the debris from the vegetation removal.

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  • The Cooperative will assist members when possible with situations involving primary conductors for vegetation removal.

  • The Cooperative shall:

    • Evaluate the situation for hazards to DCREMC facilities.

    • Strive to maintain service to existing customers.

    • Look for alternatives to lowering any primary lines.

    • Arrange for DCREMC's line clearing contractor to remove any

    • vegetation hazardous to DCREMC facilities.

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