Trimming Methods
Trees coming in contact with energized lines can create safety hazards to both life and property
as well as cause electric service interruptions to the cooperative's members.
These interruptions can be an inconvenience to many members but can also create
a life and death situation when power is interrupted to hospitals, schools or
individuals on electrically operated life-support systems.
In order to
reduce these problems the cooperative has undertaken an active line clearance
and tree trimming program.
Contract tree
trimming crews are utilized on a continuous basis throughout the service area trimming and
in some cases removing trees under or within the general vicinity of the
cooperative's distribution lines. Members should take this into consideration
when planting new trees and avoid planting them in the vicinity of the
cooperative's distribution lines.
If this cannot be avoided the trees planted should
be of a variety that grows to a limited height. Some of the varieties recommended are the amur maple, flowering crabapple, serviceberry, eastern redbud, hawthorn, kousa dogwood,
Japanese lilac, Newport plum, or the star magnolia.
It is important
for members to realize that line clearance pruning of trees is different than ornamental
trimming.
The intent is to provide enough clearance from electrical lines so that the tree
will not have to be trimmed again for approximately four years. In most cases
this clearance is approximately eight feet.
Trimming is performed
according to the American National Standards Institute tree pruning guidelines to protect
the health of the tree after the trimming is complete. This requires that cuts be
made at a lateral branch that is large enough to assume the primary growth role or at the
point where the branch attaches to the trunk.
Methods used for line clearance
trimming include side pruning, crown reduction, crown raising and vee pruning.
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| Crown Reduction |
Crown Raising |
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| Side Pruning - Single Phase |
Side Pruning - Three Phase |
Vee Pruning |
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To report a trimming or line
clearance problem please fill out the Tree
Trimming Request form and submit it to the cooperative office. For
questions concerning Menard Electric's Tree Trimming Program call the
cooperative office at 1-800-872-1203 or 217-632-7746
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