When a tree grows close to a power line, it can create hidden hazards. Here are some safety tips to remember.

• Although squirrels and birds are able to make contact, high voltage in power lines can kill others. It is not safe to touch or be within 10 feet of coated power lines.
• When someone makes contact with a live power line and is touching anything else – an extension ladder, uninsulated tool, or tree for example — that individual becomes a pathway to the ground for the electrical current. The body literally becomes the pathway of least resistance.
• Keep children out of trees near power lines. Even if branches aren't touching the lines, when the weight of a child is added it could make contact.
• Be aware that either direct or indirect contact with a power line can be fatal.
• Look up when working outdoors before proceeding in activity with tall equipment. Electricity can jump from a nearby wire to you or to the ladder or tool you are carrying.
• Never prune trees near power lines without consulting CWLP or a professional tree trimmer trained to work around high voltage.
• To report trees or limbs in conflict with CWLP lines (non-emergency), please call 217.321.1407 or email danny.rhodes@cwlp.com. For emergencies and 24-hour service contact Electric Dispatch at 217.789.2121.

Why can utilities access private property to trim trees around power lines?

Most power lines have an easement that allows utilities like CWLP and its contractors access for maintenance as necessary. Regardless of the easement, CWLP may have to prune or remove trees that are on private property in order to ensure the safety and the reliability of the electric system for the public.

Can you top or prune the whole tree to give it a more symmetrical shape?

Topping off is bad for trees, and often causes rapid growth back toward the power lines. CWLP and its contractor use approved directional trimming to address the part of a tree that could affect power lines. This allows the rest of the tree to naturally grow away from the power lines and is better for the health of the tree. (See Tree Trimming Methods below)

Who Is Responsible For Trimming

If a power line runs through a tree that is located on private property, is CWLP responsible for trimming that tree? It depends.

CWLP is responsible for trimming trees that conflict with high-voltage primary electric wires. So, even if a tree is located on private property, if it conflicts with primary electric lines, it is CWLP's responsibility to trim the tree.

Maintaining/repairing and addressing trees near a service line—the wire that delivers power from the service transformer to a customer's building—is the customer's responsibility in most cases. There are circumstances when CWLP might determine it is in the best interest of the utility to assist a property owner in resolving at least some part of a tree and service line conflict. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our Line Clearance Supervisor at 217.321.1407 or email danny.rhodes@cwlp.com) for as assessment and recommendation.

If CWLP Helps Resolve a Conflict Between a Tree and Your Service Line

If the Line Clearance Supervisor determines it is in the best interest of the utility to have a crew resolve a conflict between a tree and a customer's service line, a crew will be assigned to remove the branches in immediate conflict. Any further trimming to reduce the likelihood of a similar problem in the future is the property owner’s responsibility. The property owner is responsible for cleanup and removal of any waste from service line trimming.

What Should You Do If You Need to Trim Near Your Service Line?

For safety, contact CWLP to have power to your service line shutoff temporarily whenever planning for trimming or other work near your service line. To schedule, call the CWLP Service Department at 217.321.1409 or email richard.conder@cwlp.com a few business days in advance.

Property owners will be responsible for repairing any damage caused to the service wire during the course of tree trimming or any other activities.

Cleaning Up After Line Clearance Work vs. Repairs

When tree trimming is undertaken as part of our routine maintenance and line clearance program, CWLP or its contract crew are responsible for all waste cleanup and removal. The majority of branches, brush and cuttings will be taken away immediately following the work. Larger wood cuttings will be left at the site and scheduled to be picked up typically within a week.

When tree trimming is necessary for emergency repairs due to a storm or other issues out of the utility’s control (e.g., removing branches or trees that have fallen onto power lines), waste cleanup and removal of cuttings left behind are the responsibility of the property owner.

The decisions that property owners make about what kind of trees to plant and where to plant them can have an impact on the reliability of Springfield’s electric system far into the future. There are three good ways to ensure any new tree you plant on your property will not contribute to future power outages:

• Choose a species that will not grow taller than 25 feet at maturity. This will ensure that, regardless of where you plant it, it won’t grow tall enough to interfere with overhead lines.
• Select a planting site that will ensure a taller tree, when full grown, will remain well away from power lines, poles or other electric facilities. This requires doing a little research to determine how wide you can expect the tree’s branches to spread. As a general rule of thumb, make sure you plant the tree far enough away to maintain a minimum of distance of 10 feet between the mature branches and any power lines.
• Regardless of the size of the tree, don’t forget to consider the impact its roots might have on buried electrical lines and other underground services (such as water, cable or telephone), as well as on nearby power poles and pad mounted transformers. A tree’s root structure can often have a wider spread than its branches. So allow for this when selecting your planting site.
• To ensure you don’t dig into underground wires and pipes, call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) at 811 or 1-800-892-0123 at least 48 hours prior to digging. JULIE will then identify the location of all underground services on your property.
• Keep trees and shrubs at least 10 feet away from ground-mounted transformers (green boxes).

Where can I find information about proper tree care?

The Arbor Day Foundation, the International Society of Arboriculture, and the Tree Care Industry Association, all have valuable information about tree care.

The preferred method for pruning trees for utility line clearance involves directional pruning. Branches that grow toward power lines are pruned back to a lateral branch that is at least one-third the diameter of the branch being removed. This technique promotes effective wound closure and mitigates excessive sprouting. Directional pruning also minimizes the removal of leaves essential for a tree's food production and results in the removal of fewer branches.

In other scenarios, tree removal might be more suitable than pruning, such as when fast growing species are directly below power lines, larger damaged or diseased trees pose risks or invasive species.

The illustrations below depict the three main tree trimming methods utilized by CWLP and its contractors to direct the growth of tree branches away from overhead power lines. Each of these methods is approved by the National Arborists Association and is designed to allow the trees to re-grow as naturally, beautifully and healthily as possible.