One of the best things about our communities is the natural beauty that surrounds us. On Arbor Day, April 29, we can reflect on how fortunate we are to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade, and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our communities for many of the same reasons.
Unfortunately, overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. Strategic tree trimming in our right-of-way reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming keeps lines clear to promote reliability.
Proper care begins with selecting the right tree and planting it in the right place. Don’t plant a tree that will grow to 50 feet within 20 feet of a power line. And before planting any tree or digging for a landscaping project, be sure to call OUPS (811) to have all underground utilities marked.
Tree Trimming Prevents Outages
Right-of-way
South Central Power Company trims and removes trees to ensure safe and dependable service as well as to ensure public and line worker safety. Crews work year-round to keep trees and branches in the rights-of-way away from power lines. Trimming these trees prevents the majority of outages that would have otherwise been caused by falling branches and trees.
Member-responsibility Zone
Even with the preventive work of right-of-way trimming, some tall trees may exist outside the right-of-way that could cause damage to power lines if they fell. If you have a tree on your property that looks like it may be tall enough to cause damage to lines, consider having it professionally trimmed or removed by a qualified line clearance arborist to prevent further outages.
Visit our vegetation management section for more tree trimming and vegetation management education.
From the April 2023 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.