Help Us Keep Your Lights on and Control Costs!

DMEA Contractors Trim Trees in Co-op’s Right-of-Ways to Ensure Reliability

Please remember that no trees should be planted in a DMEA right of way. Newly planted trees within the easement area will be removed, per our policy, to minimize future outages and reduce costs. Please think ahead before planting or landscaping on DMEA right of ways, whether overhead or underground.

Generally, trees along main power lines will be trimmed so they are at least a minimum of 10 feet from any DMEA high voltage conductors. Trees around low voltage service drops (electrical service to residents) are trimmed to a 1’ radius.

Trees along main transmission lines may be trimmed back 25 feet or more from all conductors. Any dead, diseased, or decayed trees that could fall onto high voltage lines may be removed upon inspection of the right of way.

DMEA contract crews use natural directional pruning to promote healthy trees, but trees planted within the right of way may not look aesthetically pleasing after trimming. Branches that need to be trimmed are removed flush with a larger limb if possible to promote a healthier tree. Only branches growing towards power lines are trimmed to encourage the remaining branches to grow away from lines. Some trees located directly under lines, however, must be topped or removed entirely to maintain safe electrical clearance.

For additional resources on tree trimming and planting, please visit the National Arbor Day Foundation’s website, www.arborday.org.

DMEA is a non-profit cooperative, working to provide affordable, reliable power to our more than 27,000 member-owners.  Your helping keep our rights-of way clear through appropriate tree planting and trimming is a very important contribution to our efforts to keep your lights on and control all of our costs.  Thank you!