Vegetation Management: Why It Matters to You
Comprehensive Vegetation Program
- Vegetation and tree-related outages are responsible for almost 80% of DES power outages.
- The frequency of outages increases during storms, underscoring the significance of preventive measures.
- DES employs a balanced vegetation program for routine and emergency trimming/removal of trees, limbs, and brush.
- Safe, nontoxic herbicide application is performed under and around DES lines, poles, and equipment.
Investment in Responsible Management
- DES’s aim is to ensure uninterrupted lighting, comfortable homes, and public and worker safety.
- Proactive vegetation management supports a stable power supply and community well-being.
- By investing in responsible, proactive vegetation management, DES can rest easy knowing that children stay safe, powerlines stay secure, and lights stay on.
- DES has taken pride in managing a safe, economical, proactive approach to maintaining the right-of-way.
- The right-of-way protection shields DES power lines, equipment, and workers from potential threats.
- This approach ensures the highest quality of safe, reliable electric power at the lowest possible cost for DES customers.
- The potential cost of not maintaining the right-of-way to ensure a safe and responsible clearance could very well be life-or-death.
- The goal is to never again hear of another injury or accidental death resulting from contact with energized lines.
- DES’s proactive approach prevents accidents, injuries, and fatalities, ensuring public and worker safety.
Diverse Techniques for Vegetation Control
- DES’s program utilizes a variety of approved, environmentally sound methods.
- This includes trimming, spraying, and removal of trees, limbs, bushes, and brush to maintain 15 feet of clearance from either side of DES lines.
- Tree trimming is conducted year-round on a cycle basis for power and broadband reliability.
- Certified arborists evaluate the system, marking trees for trimming (•) and removal (x), leaving door hangers on customer mailboxes.
- During summer months, DES contractors utilize sprays registered with the EPA and administered by licensed applicators.
- Contractors survey the areas to be treated and prescribe an appropriate mix to promote a subtle transition of the right-of-way.
Upholding the Pillars of Public Power
- DES appreciates a strong partnership with our valued customers and works to ensure that you receive the very best service.
- Our commitment to public and lineworker safety, our steadfast dedication to the highest reliability, and our focus on prioritizing the needs of our communities over all others are some of the pillars of the public power model.
We are #communitypowered.
Submit Your Tree-Related Request
Frequently Asked Questions
Trees near power lines can pose a threat to your electric service, your home, and even your health. Severe weather can cause tree limbs to break and fall on power lines, causing outages. These interruptions to your electric service are costly and inconvenient. When our crews are out trimming trees around power lines in your neighborhood, it is to minimize the potential effects of these storms and to ensure that your electric service is as reliable as possible.
Did you know:
- 8 out of 10 power outages are caused by a tree on the power line.
- Your tree could knock out power to hundreds of your friends and neighbors.
- DES has a legal and moral responsibility to keep the power on for all customers and to keep power lines clear of trees in order to continue providing safe and reliable service.
- Tall trees, such as maple, oak, pine, and spruce, can provide valuable shade during summer, helping to lower cooling costs and block cold winter winds.
- Medium-sized trees, with a mature height of 40 feet or less, include species like Washington Hawthorne and Golden Raintree.
- Smaller trees like Redbud, Dogwood, and Crabapple are suitable for planting closer to utility lines, but they should be kept at least 15 feet away from utility poles.
- It’s advisable to consider a maximum mature height of 25 feet and a spread of 20 feet when planting near utility lines.
- Dickson Electric recognizes the inconvenience of power outages and the danger of downed power lines.
- Tree trimming aims to maintain a dependable electric system, minimize tree-related outages, and ensure public safety.
- About 80% of power outages are due to trees and limbs on power lines.
- Factors like high winds, ice, and decay can cause limbs to fall, damaging power lines and causing prolonged outages.
- Trimming trees and managing vegetation within easements helps prevent avoidable outages and supports our mission of providing safe, reliable electric service to 36,000 customers.
Yes, DES can legally trim trees.
- Court and legal system strongly support utilities’ rights to trim and remove trees or brush within and outside easements or right-of-ways for maintaining reliable electric system, reducing unnecessary outages, and ensuring public safety.
- According to DES Operating Policies and Procedures, DES must maintain proper clearance within a 15-foot radius of distribution lines.
- DES policy is in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated 65-23-106 which gives Public Utilities and Carriers the power to “use any right-of-way, easement or other similar property right necessary or convenient in connection with the acquisition, improvement, operation or maintenance of a system or systems, held by the state or any political subdivision thereof; provided, that the governing body of such political subdivision shall consent to such use [Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-23-106(8)].”
DES utilizes the following methods to achieve these goals:
- Manual trimming
- Bush hog mechanical removals
Pre-clearance Assesments
- To ensure safe, reliable, and affordable power, DES trims and removes trees, limbs, vines, and brushes under service lines.
- Certified arborist ACRT contracted for pre-clearance assessments.
- ACRT surveys DES power-line routes, identifying areas needing clearance.
We work throughout the year to remove dangerous limbs from our power lines. Tree limbs that come into contact with the lines are the most common cause of power outages and can create serious safety issues.
Routine Trimming
- Contractors remove tree limbs and make efforts to restore areas to previous conditions.
- Small debris is left behind for natural degradation.
- Customers can request ahead of time for the wood to be left for the property owner. Call (615) 441-6343 to speak with an ACRT representative.
Emergency Trimming
- Despite proactive trimming, storm-related tree damage is inevitable.
- When tree debris is caused by a storm or emergency situation, DES does not remove it.
- Our crews must work quickly to restore power to all customers.
- Crews may need to cut broken trees for line repairs.
- Property owners responsible for removing storm-caused debris.
- Trees growing too close to electric lines can't be aesthetically trimmed.
- Decaying, dying, or storm-damaged trees pose a risk of falling onto power lines.
- DES removes such trees to prevent potential hazards.
Dickson Electric System will do everything within reason to accommodate such requests.
- Understand why tree pruning is vital for reliable power for yourself and your neighbors.
- Plan ahead before planting trees.
- Plant trees away from power lines, poles, and guy wires, which will ensure safe, natural growth and eliminate the need for extensive trimming.
- Trees that are well-planted and meticulously maintained may need periodic trimming to prevent new growth from affecting overhead power lines.
You may, at your own expense, hire a private contractor of your choosing to perform the work to DES specifications. Please call (615) 441-6343 to request that such arrangements be made.
- DES aims for a complete pass of the distribution system every 4 years.
- Trimming, removals, and spraying are scheduled to ensure up to 4 years of growth without line contact.
- If necessary, DES may use these techniques more frequently to maintain line clearances.
You may call DES at (615) 446-9051 if you are aware of a tree that is interfering with a power line or is in direct contact with one. Remember, never attempt to trim limbs that are near or touching power lines.
- For any other questions regarding tree trimming, please call us at (615) 441-6343 Monday through Friday to speak with our ACRT Representatives.
- If crews are working, please don’t approach within 25 feet of a work site. This helps us to keep the work site as safe as possible.
- DES recognizes the value of trees in enhancing property value, providing shade, reducing energy costs, and supporting wildlife.
- We promote tree planting while emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate tree for its location.
- To ensure tree longevity, we recommend following The Arbor Day Foundation's Right Tree Right Place program.
- The Arbor Day Foundation's approach benefits both community trees and utility customers.
- Effective planting is illustrated in the following diagram, showcasing the significance of proper tree placement.
- Properly placed trees help lower utility line clearance expenses, minimize tree mortality, and promote healthier community forests.
For a list of recommended tree species and distances for planting, contact our ACRT Representatives at (615) 441-6343.