FAQ
Browse our frequently asked questions to find the answers you need!COMMON QUESTIONS
Why do electric utilities prune trees?
FOR SAFETY –
Utility vegetation maintenance reduces electric safety risk to the public by:
- Providing minimum separation between wires and vegetation to eliminate potential electrical shock
- Reducing potential wildfire hazards from tree/wire conflicts and downed power lines caused by trees
FOR RELIABILITY –
Trees are among the most common causes of utility service interruptions. Trees that are too close to power lines can interfere with electric service; especially when weather brings lightning, wind, ice, or wet snow. Maintaining power to vital infrastructures and services such as hospitals, nursing homes, police and fire departments, airports, water and sewer pumping stations and traffic signals is paramount.
Utilities can better assure reliability of electric service by:
- Having a preventative maintenance program that includes removing branches, vines and entire trees and brush from electrical equipment and energized conductors.
- Removing vegetation that can potentially cause a safety hazard or an electrical outage when it has the potential to grow into the power lines or fall into them due to weather or poor tree health.
Does the utility follow any pruning guidelines?
An increasing number of utilities follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A-300 Part 1: Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices, Pruning. These guidelines, endorsed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), promote directional pruning methods which minimize pruning stress and focus on tree health while obtaining necessary clearance from power lines.
How often is utility tree pruning completed?
The time between maintenance activities varies from utility to utility and between different regions of the country. Sometimes the frequency is mandated by the state agency. The best interval lfor tree maintenance is based on:
- Expected re-growth rates of tree species present
- Amount of clearance that can realistically be obtained at the time of pruning
- State or local regulations
- Available program funding
Maintenance cycles are generally shorter where there is a longer growing season or a high percentage of fast-growing tree species. In areas with a short growing season or fewer fast-growing tree species, the cycle can be longer. Some utilities conduct ‘mid-cycle’ pruning and/or inspections to mitigate the fastest growing tree species midway through a cycle.
My trees are not even touching the wires, why do they have to prune them?
Utility companies are proactive and try to prune trees BEFORE they pose a risk to the power lines. Because trees are dynamic, factors such as swaying in the wind, sagging with ice/snow weight, and uprooting in storms are examples of problems that can occur without warning even if the trees are not in contact with wires at this moment.
Pruning trees to direct growth away from wires before becoming problematic is ideal. It may take years before a tree presents a safety or reliability risk, but fast-growing trees near the power lines will need to be pruned or removed completely as they mature.
How much will be cut from my tree?
Typically, a qualified utility forester or vegetation manager prescribes the amount and type of pruning necessary based on:
- Tree growth rate and structure
- Wind direction
- Tree species: strong or weak wooded
- Tree health or vigor
- Environmental factors
- Water sources
- Proximity of tree to wires and line configuration
- Power line voltage–higher voltages require greater clearance
What is a line clearance tree contractor?
As defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is a company that is qualified to maintain trees near power lines. These companies employ qualified line clearance arborists who receive ongoing electrical safety training as well as provide equipment and tools that are maintained as non-conductive.
How are Utility Line Clearance Arborists trained?
Most tree care workers are not qualified to work near energized power lines. Qualified utility line clearance professionals meet OSHA qualifications and are the only ones who are legally permitted to work within 10 feet of power lines or work on a tree that has branches within 10 feet of power lines. Line clearance arborists are trained to prune trees according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A-300 pruning standards and follow industry best practices, which helps preserve the health of trees.
Note: Homeowners should never hire a private tree contractor to work within 10 feet of power lines or attempt to do the work themselves. The utility should always be contacted for information first.
Why won’t the utility put the lines underground?
Undergrounding of lines is very expensive and results in more difficult (and longer) repairs in the event of a power failure. Also, converting an overhead system to underground typically causes substantial damage to existing trees’ root systems.
What is directional pruning?
Directional pruning removes branches growing toward the power lines while leaving those that are growing away. It is the most appropriate way trees for electric utility line clearance.
Trees that are pruned in accordance with ANSI A300 Standards will have branches pruned back to a lateral branch that is at least one third the diameter of the branch being removed. Additionally, cuts should be made close to the parent or main limb so as to not leave a stub or damage the main limb.
How will a tree look after it is directionally pruned?
Trees growing directly under power lines may appear U or V shaped (crown reduction or through-pruning). Trees growing alongside power lines may appear L shaped, or one side may be completely removed (side pruning). The tree may appear misshapen however; remember that this pruning is not performed for aesthetic purposes, but to safely clear the wires. In general, trees growing near the power lines will never have the potential to grow with a “natural” shape.
Is my tree a candidate for pruning or removal?
Situations where tree removal may be preferable to line clearance pruning include:
- Tall or fast-growing species growing directly under the power lines that require frequent pruning and will never have a natural form – high outage risk
- Saplings (brush) with the potential to grow into or close to the lines
- Large, previously topped trees under the lines
- Hazardous trees (examples – leaning, in decline, severe dieback, cracked or split, hollow, etc)
How are trees pruned in a remote or wooded area?
In remote/rural locations, utilities often utilize mechanical equipment to increase efficiency and worker safety. Large saws mounted on high-reaching booms can be used to prune the sides of right-of-way corridors. In some cases, saws are suspended from helicopters. When using this equipment it is understood that the quality of the cuts can be less than those made by hand. Nevertheless, efforts are made to avoid unnecessary damage to the tree.
Chemical application is another method of side pruning where herbicides are applied to the foliage of selected branches growing into the right-of-way corridor. The treated branches eventually die and are shed by the tree.
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Phone: 800-680-4106
Email: office@gotouaa.org
Cindy is the Senior Director, Vegetation Management Services and she manages departments responsible for maintaining vegetation in REC’s rights-of-way with the goal of reducing exposure of the electric grid to tree caused outages while encouraging habitat and species diversity. Cindy also has a consulting business, EcoAcumen, LLC that focuses on residential, commercial and government clients.
Kimberly Laing has had an exciting career in the energy industry, gaining valuable experience in various areas for almost 20 years. During her career, she has worked with numerous customers worldwide in a diverse cross-disciplined technical environment. She has extensive experience working with utilities, asset owners, equipment manufacturers, and consultants to facilitate transmission and distribution projects. Kimberly is particularly passionate about Utility Vegetation Management and its vital role in delivering safe and reliable power.
Josh Beaver is currently senior vice president of Eocene Environmental Group, a utility vegetation management (UVM) consulting and operations firm. Josh has more than two decades of experience within the UVM industry. He is currently responsible for relationship management and oversight of long-term UVM contracts throughout the United States and Canada. He considers customer and community communication to be vital aspects of his role, and he has a proven record of success working with utilities.
Sam joins the UAA crew with over a decade of non-profit experience behind her. As our Partnership Coordinator, her focused efforts on building relationships with diverse funders will include crafting proposals, cultivating connections, and cohesively earning dedicated sponsors to support the sustainability of UAA substantially and empowering our programs. Well equipped with professional skills which include program development, public speaking, proposal writing, donor relations, working with diverse stakeholders, coalition building, and public-facing service. Sam’s educational background includes a BS in Animal Ecology with a minor in Animal Science, and a MA in Philanthropy and Non-profit Development.
Sara Dreiser is a Senior Program Manager with ComEd. She works with a team to oversee ComEd’s routine cycle maintenance and ComEd’s interruption investigation programs. She has been working in the Vegetation Management industry for close to 15 years.
Matt Goff is a Transmission Vegetation Manager at Georgia Power Company. He lives in Brookhaven, GA with his wife, two daughters, and the family’s two dogs Sam, and Payton. For leisure, he enjoys sports with his family, bird hunting, and salt-water fishing.Matt holds a BSFR from the University of Georgia in Forest Resource Management and he graduated in 1997. He has worked in the vegetation management industry for 26 years. His work experience includes six years as a procurement forester for a forest products manufacturer, and 20 years in the utility vegetation management industry with Georgia Power.
Brandon graduated from Minnesota State University–Mankato with a B.S. in Geography. Brandon has been with Rainbow Tree Company since 2009 and has gained experience in several roles, including Business Developer for our utility products division, GIS Tree Inventory Analyst, and Technical Arborist. Brandon has been the Director of VM Services, the fastest growing division inRainbow Tree Company, since 2012.
A winner of the David H Nabi Award for dedication and service, Dr. Robert Vanderhoof earned his Ph.D. from the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University in 1995. A veteran natural resource manager, Robert spent 15 years as Florida’s Deer Management Section Chief during which time he coordinated range management activities across Florida’s seven-million-acre wildlife management area system.
Amanda Opp, Certified Utility Vegetation Management Professional Flathead Electric Cooperative, Integrated Services Manager, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Course Facilitator
Jim Neeser is a business developer for the Davey Resource Group, a division of the Davey Tree Expert Company. Jim primarily works with utility companies to provide innovative and customized solutions. Jim earned his AA from Vermillion Community College in 1997 and his BS in Forestry with an emphasis on Hydrology and Soils from the University of Minnesota in 2000. Jim is an ISA Certified Arborist with the Utility Specialist endorsement. Jim has been involved in the UAA training committee for nearly a decade as a past chairman and is currently the treasurer and Champion of the finance committee. Jim spent his first 7 years in the industry as a field arborist in the commercial and utility markets. The last 10 years, Jim has been working with utility companies to enhance their Integrated Vegetation Management programs. Jim’s other interests include spending time with his family, sports, hiking, fishing and coin collecting. Jim is also active with the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout. Jim lives in Forest Lake, MN with his wife and 2 children.
Adam’s experience includes leading business development strategies for a utility vegetation management consulting firm, vegetation management field operations at two major investor-owned utilities in the southeastern US, project management at a variety of utilities in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern regions, and vegetation management program development and assessments across the country. His utility arboricultural experience provides a broad understanding of the many different methods used to create a successful utility right-of-way, vegetation management program, including remote sensing, data analytics, optimization, and the utilization of third-party consulting foresters for planning and auditing duties.
Craig works for Pacific Gas and Electric as a Principal Program Manager in Land Management. His career spans 30 years in the utility industry serving numerous roles. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, and hold his TRAQ and is a TCIA Certified TreeCare Safety Professional. Craig has been engaged and involved in the UAA for many years, starting back in 2008. He then wanted more so he ran for UAA President and was elected in 2014. Today, Craig looks back over his 30-year career and wouldn’t change a thing, he’s made life-long friends and considers many as mentors. He also claims he would not be where is in his career if it weren’t for these people, and pledges to pay it forward to support others in their success.
Erin Creekmur has been in the UVM industry for over 20 years. After graduating with a Bachelors in Botany from Northern Arizona University she relocated to Northern California to start her professional career. Starting as a consulting utility pre-inspector with Western ECI she quickly moving up to the ranks to Supervisor under the tutelage of folks like Nelson Money. In 2004, Erin joined PG&E as a Quality Assurance Auditor for the VM program. Eventually becoming the Program Manager for the North Coast Division, helping stand up the beginnings of CEMA as the Emergency Drought Response Initiative Lead for the Enhanced Inspection & Mitigation Program, targeting off-cycle hazard trees across the system. In 2015, Erin moved back to her home state of Arizona and took the role of Division Supervisor with Arizona Public Service, managing both transmission and distribution UVM programs out of the Flagstaff area. As part of her role with APS Forestry Fire and Resource Management Department, Erin had responsibility for creating a Hazard Tree Mitigation program. maintaining APS’s ROW Stewardship Accreditation, FERC reporting, and the Transmission Lidar program. In 2021, Erin took a shift in her career and is now Supervising the Customer Construction and Design team for APS, expanding her overall understanding of the Utility industry. Erin continues to maintain her ISA Utility Specialist Certification and TRAQ. She has also completed certifications in both Six Sigma and Lean Sigma Green Belt through accredited universities. In addition to her current service on the UAA Board of Directors, Erin spent the last 6 years as an officer with the Arboretum at Flagstaff Board of Directors. In her free time, you can find Erin in the woods taking pictures of native plants and beautiful western landscapes.
Fallon is a Utility Arborist and Executive Director of the Utility Arborist Association. Prior to his current role he was responsible for leading vegetation management programs across several upper Midwest states on behalf of a large investor-owned utility. He’s also been an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he facilitated the 
Renée is our Member Services Manager. She is available to UAA members for questions on committee assignments, educational opportunities, scholarships, CEU questions, and any other assistance.
Diona has been with the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) since December 2015 and has worked in various capacities within the organization.