Tree Trimming

Tree Trimming Service

Trees help protect our home from elements, help beautify our neighborhoods, help clean our air and bring color to our lives. But trees can be dangerous. In storms the weakest, oldest and sometimes the healthiest trees fall on personal property including homes and cars. More often they fall on electric power lines and electric service is disrupted. Occasionally, a tree becomes a pathway to injury when a person comes into contact with a line. Trimming or removing tree branches by your local cooperative should occur on a regular basis not only for safety's sake but to alleviate potential power interruptions.

One of Cherryland Electric Cooperative's primary responsibilities is to provide safe, reliable electricity to its members. Keeping our lines clear of trees is necessary to deliver better quality service to you. Our employees and brush crews we hire to help us are sent out on a planned, rotating schedule to clear trees and brush from our distribution rights-of-way. Our crews will cut branches, trees and brush next to and underneath electric lines. In wooded areas clearing of rights-of-way can occur up to 30 feet by using mechanical brush equipment. In some cases, trees will be removed. If this becomes necessary we'll attempt to contact you before the work is done.

The distance a tree is trimmed depends on the type of tree and voltage. In some instances, however, the removal of a tree is required. This is especially the case when public safety is involved, particularly children, or employees are in danger. A tree may have to be removed because it is dead, dying, or damaged.

The methods used to trim trees help the tree retain its natural shape, decrease future trimming needs and direct future growth away from electric lines.

Many times the trimmings will be turned over and used for cross-country trails or to protect wildlife.

If you want trees located near service lines trimmed, we recommend that you call us first to determine whether a private tree service company is necessary to assist you with clearing specifications. We will disconnect the electric service wire when a tree must be removed. Do not attempt to trim branches away from our power lines by yourself. If an object is caught in a tree, such as a kite, stay clear of lines when removing an object. Also, when using a ladder, be careful not to let it touch power lines.

Before you plant a tree, look up, look down and all around. Miss Dig, Michigan utilities' computerized one-call protection service, is available at 1-800-482-7171 to help you safely locate where underground cable may be buried including electric, cable, telephone and gas lines. Please call three days before you plan to dig.

Sometimes selecting the wrong tree and planting it near utility rights-of-way can cause safety concerns and service interruptions. If you want to avoid trimming, the following list of trees and shrubs can help you. Average adult tree heights are given to help you select the right tree or shrub depending on its location. If you can help it, avoid planting tall-growing trees such as oaks, maples, willows and most pine trees near electric distribution power lines.