| Line Clearance Frequently Asked Questions |
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Tree limbs and power lines aren’t a good combination – especially when severe weather hits. Trees are a common cause of service interruptions and outages, and a damaging storm can disrupt power for extended periods.
In addition, tree limbs and branches that extend into power lines pose a significant risk to public safety even during mild weather. Anyone climbing a tree with limbs and branches that may be intertwined with power lines can come into contact with the wires and be seriously injured.
But that danger can be avoided by not planting tall-growing trees under or near electric wires and by routine tree trimming. The following are answers to the most commonly asked questions concerning Lakeland Electric’s tree trimming policy:
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Will Lakeland Electric Trim or Remove Trees? |
Trees that interfere with or have the potential for interfering with existing utility lines or trees that obstruct the route of new lines will be trimmed.
If Lakeland Electric requires that a tree be trimmed, all branches and wood cut from the tree will be removed from the property by Lakeland Electric. The property owner may keep any portion of the wood desired. However, Lakeland Electric will not cut wood to uniform length nor stack the wood. Trees that are removed will be cut as close to ground level as possible.
Dead trees, fallen trees or limbs that have fallen from standing trees are the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner is also responsible for the disposal of all limbs and wood resulting from the trimming of storm-damaged trees for Lakeland Electric service restoration efforts.
When a property owner has a need to trim or remove a tree near the power lines, Lakeland Electric will provide any required trimming to allow this to be done safely.
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Is Permission of the Property Owner Necessary Before Doing Tree Work? |
Provisions of right-of-way easements grant Lakeland Electric the authority to trim trees without property-owner permission to provide for a safe and reliable electric system. However, Lakeland Electric respects the property of its customer-owners and will notify the property owner of the need for tree work before trimming is done. We cannot do trimming beyond what is necessary for public safety and reliability of electrical service.
In unusual or emergency situations, it may be necessary to trim trees without first notifying the property owner in order to restore service or eliminate safety hazards.
Lakeland Electric recommends the removal of small trees that will require extensive trimming on a regular basis. However, trees will not be removed without the property owner's permission.
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Do You Have Any Information on Proper Planting for Trees? |
| The National Arbor Day Foundation encourages thoughtful practices that help preserve community trees while also serving a utility company's customers. This drawing demonstrates effective planting, placing the right tree in the right place. Trees properly placed can lower line clearance costs for utility companies, reduce tree mortality, and result in healthier community forests. Trees can add value to your home, help cool your home and provide food for wildlife. Tall trees surrounding your home, such as maple, oak, pine and spruce, provide summer shade to lower cooling costs. |
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For more information on trees, including punning and planting guides, go to the National Arbor Day Foundation website. If you are planning to plant new trees near power lines, we would like to help you select the right tree and location.
Tree trimming and the selection of the appropriate trees when landscaping can prevent some of the outages caused by storms. Keeping tree limbs pruned away from power lines is safer and easier than removing damaged tree limbs during a major storm.
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How Often Does Lakeland Electric Trim Trees? |
| Lakeland Electric’s contract crews, trim trees around our primary transmission and distribution lines on a four- to five-year cycle. |
What Kind of Pruning Techniques Do You Use? |
Our professionally trained crews use “directional pruning” methods developed by the National Arborist Association and approved by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
These methods, shown in the illustrations below, protect the health of the tree while still providing the established minimum safety clearance:
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| The tree is trained to grow away from the line, minimizing the need for and severity of future trimming. |
What is Your Policy on Tree Removal? |
We will not remove a tree without the property owner's permission. If a tree is diseased, dying, storm-damaged or is likely to be severely deformed by trimming, we will assist by trimming it to a safe height.
At a customer's request, we will consider removing a small tree if it interferes with a high-voltage line at the top of a utility pole, and if removing it will eliminate the need for future trimming. Lakeland Electric will not remove trees near low-voltage service lines to a home or business.
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What if Trees in My Yard are Growing Into Power Lines? |
Lakeland Electric will disconnect power lines or shut off service so trees can be trimmed or removed safely. Lakeland Electric does trim trees around low-voltage service lines coming into a home or business to provide minimum clearance from abrading limbs.
Customers will be advised of scheduled tree trimming; however, if you have any questions or concerns, please call Customer Service at 834-9535.
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