Tree Trimming
Trees that touch or fall on power lines can cause wildfires, power outages, property damage or personal injury. Trees interfering with power lines are one of the leading causes of interruptions in electrical service in Okanogan County. The PUD’s vegetation management specifications are designed to prevent trees from coming in contact with power lines. Lines are routinely inspected for vegetation encroachment, and pruning is performed on a three-year cycle.
The PUD prunes and/or removes trees that are in close proximity to overhead transmission & distribution electrical lines. In most situations, the customer is responsible for pruning or removing trees along secondary electric lines to the electric meter. We encourage you to contact the PUD prior to pruning near electrical lines. The PUD will disconnect and reconnect your secondary electrical service at no cost which will allow you or a third party to prune safely.
Tree Pruning
The PUD’s method of directional pruning is recommended by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture and best for the safety and the health of your tree. It involves removing only those limbs that will come in contact with power lines. Pruning cuts are made at intersecting lateral branches. Directional pruning reduces the number of times the tree must be pruned, reduces the number of fast-growing and weakly attached sprouts, and by directing growth away from the power lines, allows the tree to achieve its natural height and shape.
Tree Removal
Occasionally, it may be necessary to remove trees or brush. During routine inspections, the PUD looks for trees that pose a threat to PUD facilities. If you are concerned about a tree on your property, or are interested in possible removal of a tree near power lines, please contact the PUD.
Directional pruning – the preferred method
Incorrect “V-pruning” can weaken trees near power lines
Tree trimming crews trim out the primary distribution lines every 3 years, ranging from the Twisp River to Chesaw.
Tree Trimming Benefits
Wondering why it is necessary to trim trees? Right-of-way (ROW) / easement maintenance and tree removal offers many benefits:
- Eliminates hazardous conditions
- Improves access to facilities
- Reduces future costs
- Reduces potential outages
Okanogan County PUD works very hard to maintain the overhead distribution lines in our service area. We know that reliability and safety are important to our customers. Trees that interfere with high-voltage conductors are hazards that can cause disrupted service, outages, and fires.
Tree Trimming Methods
Our contractors use modern arboriculture methods to trim trees, following these guidelines:
- Techniques consistent with the practice of natural, lateral, and drop-crotch trimming shall be utilized.
- Cuts are made back to a main stem or branch of sufficient size.
- All trimming cuts shall be made to direct future growth sprouting away from conductors.
- Conifers should be trimmed in a manner that allows them to retain as much of their natural shape as possible.
- All dead branches overhanging primary conductors at any height shall be removed.
- Where practical, cuts should be primarily restricted to large-diameter branches made well within the crown.
- Remove living branches by making cuts as close as possible to the branch collar. Remove dead branches by making cuts as close as possible to the living tissue remaining at the base of the branch.
- Avoid stripping or tearing of bark when cutting large limbs.
Debris removal is determined on a site-by-site basis and depends on the size of the vegetation. Large wood, logs, and stumps will not be removed.
Specific Cuts/Methods
Directional Pruning
Prune trees to eliminate branches that will grow toward and into power lines, leaving behind select branches that grow away from power lines.
The branch collar is left intact.
All trimming cuts shall be made to direct future growth and sprouting away from conductors; maintaining the health of the tree while establishing acceptable clearance between lines and branches.
Drop-Crotch Trimming
Prune trees to eliminate branches that will grow toward and into power lines, leaving behind select branches that grow away from power lines.
The branch collar is left intact.
All trimming cuts shall be made to direct future growth and sprouting away from conductors; maintaining the health of the tree while establishing acceptable clearance between lines and branches.
Collar Cut
This is a cutting of the limb just beyond the point of intersection with the trunk of the tree or another limb at the branch collar.
When properly made, it will allow the tree’s protective zone to aid in closing the wound.
Topping, flush cuts, or branch tipping shall not be practiced.
Lateral limbs that are left will be at least 1/3 the size of the limb being cut.
Incorrect Methods – Shaping and Pollarding
Shaping refers to the incorrect action of pruning or tipping a tree and its branches for aesthetic or ornamental appeal only.
- Shaped trees re-grow quickly with vertical suckers that sprout from cut ends. The suckers are only weakly attached to the branches.
- This practice has been determined detrimental to overall tree health.
Pollarding is the practice of pruning trees annually to remove all new growth creating an unnatural effect.
Hazard Tree Definition
A specific type of danger tree that poses a greater likelihood of causing damage to electric power lines or equipment. In this case, the tree is structurally unsound and positioned in such a way that it could fall onto conductors.
Tree Removal
Tree trimming is temporary and expensive; so the removal of undesirable trees is an important part of our tree maintenance program. Where feasible and necessary, we will seek to remove fast-growing or hazardous trees from under powerlines.
Tree Removal Candidates
- Trees at homes, schools, parks, businesses, or other areas, which children may climb easily, that are near overhead conductors.
- Fast-growing trees that interfere with overhead conductors.
- Trees not presently interfering with overhead conductors, but will at their mature height.
- Dead, dying, diseased, and unstable trees that have the probability of falling and contacting overhead conductors.
- Trees that require extensive trimming.
- Trees or bushes that impede access to pad-mounted underground equipment.
The utility will make site-specific decisions regarding the treatment or removal. Trees that are determined to be defective or damaged under these guidelines are candidates for removal under PUD trimming/removal guidelines.
Landowners, please note:
We will attempt to contact landowner prior to removal.
The PUD does reserve the right to trim these trees if they pose a hazard to overhead conductors.
Landowners may be eligible for a rebate to help pay for replacement tree costs.
Tree Replacement
Tree Replacement Program Guidelines
- Landowner will be refunded a maximum of $100 per replacement tree
- One-time replacement cost per tree
- Rebate based on actual costs for replacement trees
- Rebate will not include any costs incurred for planting the replacement tree(s) or upkeep
- Stump grinding is not included in the removal job unless approved by PUD
- Landowners have 1 year from date of removal to request the tree replacement rebate
- Only trees removed under the authority of the PUD qualify for replacement
Replacement Tree Planting Guidelines
If replacement trees are planted near overhead or underground lines, the following guidelines must be met:
- The tree must be on the Okanogan County PUD Approved Tree List, unless the landowner has received pre-approval from the PUD for the non-listed tree.
- For pre-approval, the landowner must supply the PUD with information regarding the tree’s expected size, growth habits, and where it will be planted.
- The tree must be planted to avoid future interference with PUD overhead/underground lines and equipment.
- No replacement tree will be planted under overhead power lines or within 15 feet from its centerline unless approved by the PUD.
- Replacement trees should be planted no closer than 10 feet to underground equipment such as transformers.
- For a complete listing of tree planting guidelines please visit the Arbor Day Foundation or contact a local nursery.
To see a list of approved replacement trees, please read our Approved Tree List (PDF).
Trees to Avoid
Larger trees are not recommended for planting near utility lines or on small lots. Reasons vary but include consistent limb loss in storms, excessive level of growth, a history of breaking pavements, suckers, excess or messy seed or fruit drop. A few are suitable for rural settings when the tree is far removed from utility lines and buildings.
Requesting a Rebate
To request a rebate for a replacement tree, the landowner must first meet the requirements for planting the replacement tree. Then download and fill out a Rebate Request Form (PDF) with the following attached:
1
A copy of the receipt listing the species of the tree purchased and the name of the nursery from which the tree was purchased
2
The total cost of the tree
Upon receiving the request, the Okanogan PUD will verify the form was signed and that the species of the tree and planting location are acceptable. Once these conditions have been verified, a refund check will be issued to the landowner.
Questions?
For questions or comments on any of our Right of Way Clearance and Tree Trimming Programs please contact Right-of-Way Superintendent Nick Christoph at (509) 422-8435 or via email.