Trees & Power Lines

Trees can add tremendous value to our homes and communities. Besides being a source of beauty in our landscapes they provide food and shelter for wildlife, cooling for our homes, cleansing of our air, and a multitude of other benefits. However, trees growing near power lines present some real challenges.

A primary cause of blinks and power outages is trees contacting power lines. When tree limbs grow too close to power lines they can cause damage or interrupt your service. They could also create a safety hazard to you or your neighbors. Firelands Electric Cooperative makes every effort to provide you with safe and reliable electric service. Sometimes, to provide uninterrupted service it is necessary to prune or remove trees when they are located too close to power lines.

Firelands assists with tree clearance from our lines to the meter location. Primary wires are energized at higher voltages and require the most tree clearance. Secondary wires are located between the transformer and the meter and require much less clearance. All lines beyond the meter location belong to the member, and tree clearance on those lines is the member's responsibility. Firelands recommends hiring a professional, line clearance certified tree contractor when tree work near electrical conductors is necessary.

Please contact Firelands of a tree you believe may be growing too close to one of our power lines. Firelands' System Right-of-Way Arborist will examine the situation and, if the problem cannot wait for the next scheduled trimming, we will schedule it for prompt maintenance.

As you landscape, be sure to leave space around utility equipment so Firelands employees can maintain reliable service to your home or business. You also need to be careful if you plan to dig. Underground lines are all around these days, so before you dig please contact Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) at (800) 362-2764 to determine where lines are before you dig into the ground.