Trees

Electric Utility Easement Tree Trimming
Westerville is a leader in the Utility Tree Trimming Industry and is consistently recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA Community (click on the link at right called "Tree Line USA" to learn more).

Westerville’s in-house tree trimming crew works to the highest standard as outlined by the American National Standards Institute. The crew is the only one in Ohio to be recognized as skilled labor workers by the U.S. Department of Labor.

In order to provide safe and reliable electricity to our customers, Electric Division tree trimmers (and, at times, outside subcontractors) perform various types of tree trimming within the utility easements, rights-of-ways and on private property when trees come in conflict with the overhead power lines. In order to perform the work necessary, we oftentimes must gain access to private property. We never set foot on your property without sufficient advance notice.

Westerville crews generally prune away two to three years of growth on trees that are prone to growing into the power lines. We will clean up, remove all trimmings, and leave the property as found. If you have any questions about line clearance tree trimming, please call 901-6700.

Types of Tree Trimming
The three types of utility easement tree trimming utilized by the Electric Division are:

1. Side Trim
2. Crown Reduction
3. Through Trim (sometimes referred to as V-Trim)

Trees beside power lines are often “side trimmed.” Side trimming involves removing entire side branches, not just trimming branch tips. To keep the trees strong and healthy, cuts are made at either the growth collar or the lateral branch bark ridges.

Crown reduction is the most extensive form of trimming involving the crown (upper branches) of the tree. The preferred method of crown reduction is called “drop-crotching,” or cutting the main branch(es) back to a lateral branch well below the
top of the remaining crown.

The “Through Trim” (or “V-Trim”) can only be utilized on trees that are under a single-phase power line, and involves cutting out the tree’s center. Sometimes, even this type of trimming cannot provide proper access to utility lines, making removing the entire tree the only alternative.

Tree Removals
Upon request by the property owner, unwanted utility trees may be removed at no expense to the property owner. The Electric Division will cut down the tree, chip the brush, grind the stump and leave the wood in fire wood lengths. The disposition of the wood is the responsibility of the property owner. Those interested the having their utility trees removed should contact the Electric Division at 901-6700.

Westerville Tree Replacement Program
Trees add a special, natural beauty to our city. However, not all tree locations are compatible with overhead electric lines and can pose a threat to public safety and electric service reliability. Planting the right tree in the right place is the best way to remedy conflicts between trees and overhead electric lines. (Click on the link to the right called "Right Tree in the Right Place" for more information.)

Tree replacement can occur through the Westerville Electric Division’s Tree Replacement Program. Upon a resident’s request, the City’s Electric Division will evaluate a tree to determine whether the tree should be removed and/or replaced. (Click on the link to the right called "Tree Replacement Program" for more details.)