Ever wonder why SWEPCO trims trees?

One of the most common causes of power outages is tree limbs falling across power lines. Just one tree limb can knock out electric service to dozens of families up to several miles away. In fact, a single tree initiated a power outage in 2003 for over 50 million Americans and Canadians from the Midwest to the East Coast. 

That is why SWEPCO’s Forestry department has a comprehensive program to manage trees and brush that grow around power lines – and it has been shown to be effective at improving the reliability of our service to you.

Here are some commonly asked questions about our tree trimming process and how vegetation management helps to maintain safe, reliable service for customers.

What does the Forestry department do?

SWEPCO’s Forestry department keeps trees and vegetation from interfering with utility power lines and poles. We trim trees according to standards set by the Tree Care Industry Association and the International Society of Arboriculture. 

Our crews use equipment to trim trees and herbicides to reduce vine growth on poles. With about 90 crews working daily across the SWEPCO territory, forestry is an important part of maintaining and increasing power reliability for customers.

What lines are Forestry responsible for?

We are responsible for the primary, secondary and neutral wires located on poles. We do not maintain clearance on communication lines, which are typically the lowest wires on a pole. Learn more: What's On A Pole? - YouTube

What is the property owner's responsibility?

Property owners are responsible for clearing trees that interfere the line that runs from their house to our pole. However, we can help keep everyone safe by disconnecting power while the work is being done. Please contact us at least two working days in advance to schedule a line crew to come to the location to temporarily disconnect service.

What is the goal when tree trimming?

The goal is to clear limbs away from power lines at a safe working distance. We use arboriculture standards and often trim back to a lateral branch, a natural strong point of the tree. Each time we are on a property, we typically trim three years’ worth of branch growth.

What types of equipment is used?

The department uses several different types of equipment, including all-terrain Jarraff machines, mulchers, and other trimming tools, such as bucket trucks and manual climbers. Watch: How Jarraff machines increase vegetation management efficiency

What type of herbicides are used?

We have a robust herbicide program with a formulated mix for our needs. Comparable herbicides can be purchased from most farm or outdoor stores.

How are customers notified when trimming trees on their property?

We start with door cards to notify customers of scheduled work, so they know what to expect. We also notify the customer if they are at the location when we arrive. If we need to have a planned outage, we notify customers ahead of time through our automated notification system.

How do I report overgrown trees?

Do not attempt to cut back trees near power lines. Instead, report the problem to us on our website: Report a Tree Problem

Learn more about our Tree Trimming program at SWEPCO.com/Trees.