Utility Line Tree Trimming FAQ
Trimming Trees to Ensure Reliable Services
Trees are important to everyone. Trees furnish shade, beautify the property around our homes and enhance the environment in which we live. However, as important as trees are, they are the leading cause of power outages.
During severe weather, tree limbs can snap off and damage our equipment. To prevent trees located along our power lines from causing power outages and to help ensure reliable service to our customers, the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department employs qualified personnel to trim trees that may interfere with electric lines or cause a safety hazard.
The frequency with which we trim trees in a particular section of the City varies according to the growth rate of trees in the area. Typically, tree trimmers will visit a residential neighborhood once every three to five years.
Providing reliable service to our customers is one of our highest priorities. We know that it is inconvenient to be without electric service, and, although it is not possible to eliminate all power interruptions, we are actively taking steps to decrease not only the total number of outages, but also the length of these outages when they occur.
City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department has an aggressive maintenance schedule in place to trim trees along our rights-of-way. Please be patient if you feel that you have trees in your area that need to be trimmed. We're making our way to your neighborhood on a carefully planned schedule that covers every mile of every circuit in our service area.
Why does the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department prune trees?
The City of Alexandria is committed to providing safe and reliable power to our customers in a cost-effective manner, which is partly done by keeping tree branches away from their power lines, including those lines that are located in utility easements on consumers' property.
How do trees affect service to the City of Alexandria Electric Utility customers?
Trees growing under or adjacent to overhead lines interfere with the electric delivery system and are the most common cause of outages. Branches and fallen trees that come into contact with electric wires could cause power lines to fall or possibly knock down utility poles, causing considerable damage and significant power outages. Overgrown trees near power lines also prevent our crews from repairing equipment quickly, and delay the process of restoring power to customers.
Is pruning dangerous to the health of my trees?
The City of Alexandria follows industry-accepted ANSI+A-300 Standards for tree trimming along our Rights-of-Way. For most trees, pruning simply reduces the volume of foliage and the health of the tree is unaffected. However, some trees need to be heavily trimmed in order to keep a safe clearance distance from power lines. In these instances, the tree may be susceptible to disease or death. Therefore, removing the tree may be the best option.
American National Standards for Tree Care Operations
What method of tree pruning does the Alexandria Electric Distribution Department use?
We use natural target trimming, better known as directional trimming, to maintain clearances between trees and high-voltage power lines. Directional trimming utilizes the concept of cutting tree limbs where they would naturally shed. You can view diagrams that illustrate the four most common types of directional pruning.
Top Pruning
Side Pruning
Under Pruning
"V" Pruning
What will my trees look like after you trim them?
This depends on a lot of different factors: The proximity of your tree to the lines, the growth habit of the tree, the size of the limbs that need to be removed, the availability of suitable lateral limbs to prune to, and past pruning history.
Does the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department trim trees other than those by electric distribution lines?
We only trim trees that would cause interference with our electric delivery system. All other tree trimming is the responsibility of the other utility service providers.
Can the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department trim trees around the service drop that runs from the pole to the meter on my house?
Trimming around the service lines to individual meters is the responsibility of the property owner. You should call a qualified arborist to trim the tree. If you decide to do the trimming yourself you may want to arrange to have the service line disconnected while the pruning is underway. Be aware that we require a minimum 48-hour notice and there may be a cost involved for this service.
Does the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department notify customers when they will be trimming in their neighborhood?
Our contractors use door hangers to provide notification of upcoming non-emergency tree trimming. The door hangers inform customers when they should expect the tree crews and provide general information about the program.
How often does the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department trim in my area?
Trees that interfere with distribution lines are trimmed on a four- to five-year cycle. Those trees are pruned so that adequate clearance can be maintained between the tree and the overhead lines between cycles. We attempt to obtain enough clearance to withstand normal seasonal weather conditions to keep us from having to come back frequently.
How does the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department select which trees are to be removed and which trees are to be trimmed?
Trees that are slower growing and manageable under our four- to five-year trimming cycle are selected for trimming. Other trees whose growth cannot be controlled by the trimming cycle, or which present high risk, are removed for safety and reliability.
Are the City of Alexandria Electric Distribution Department's tree-trimming crews trained professionals?
We hire licensed contractors to trim and prune trees. They have been trained to safely and efficiently remove problem trees and branches that would interfere with power lines. During emergencies our linemen may remove broken branches that are interfering with power their restoration activities.
How can residents ensure that that trees don't have to be trimmed?
Residents can help minimize tree-related outages and ensure the beauty of their landscapes through the thoughtful planting of new trees. Tall spreading trees should be planted far enough away from power lines so that they do not grow into the lines as they mature. Also, remember not to plant large trees in an area that has underground utility lines.
Why can't all of the electric lines be placed underground?
Most new developments in the City now contain underground electric distribution lines. Placing these lines underground eliminates the need for trimming trees around overhead conductors.
I want to plant some shrubs around the transformer in my front yard. What should I be aware of?
Customers served by underground power lines should view our landscape clearances diagram '-before planting around our equipment. Maintaining proper landscape clearances around the underground electrical equipment allows our crews to safely perform necessary inspections and maintenance work. Woody plants, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees must be kept at least 12 feet from the front of the pad (the side with enclosed doors) and at least 3 feet from the sides and back. Plantings located too close create a dangerous work area and may hamper efforts to restore power in an emergency. In addition, plants may be damaged by workers trying to access underground facilities.