Tree Trimming

Tree Trimming: At Steuben County REMC, we’re committed to providing you with reliable power. There are some things we can’t stop—high winds, ice storms, tornadoes—but we do what we can to prevent other outage culprits.

As you can probably guess, weather-related events cause the majority of power outages for electric cooperatives-- a whopping 19 percent according to a survey by our national service organization, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. But vegetation—trees, shrubs, brush—growing too close to power lines and distribution equipment leads to 15 percent of power interruptions.

To “cut back” on potential tree-related problems Steuben County REMC operates a comprehensive right-of-way maintenance program. Our line and tree crews look for foliage growing under lines, overhanging branches, leaning or other types of “danger” trees that could pull down a power line if they fall, and trees that could grow into lines. It’s a job that’s never done—by the time crews finish trimming activities along our miles of distribution lines, vegetation has already begun growing back at the starting point.

In working to keep a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of power flowing to your home or business, we need your help. Let us know if you notice trees or branches that might pose a risk to our power lines. Even more important, before planting trees, bushes or other shrubbery in your yard, think about how tall they may grow and how wide their branches may spread.  As a rule of thumb, 25 feet of ground-to-sky clearance should be available on each side of our utility poles to give power lines plenty of space. Choose tree varieties with care and plant with power lines in mind. Do not plant landscaping immediately surrounding utility poles or allow vegetation to climb.

At Steuben County REMC, we operate with your safety and satisfaction in mind. Protecting our utility poles, distribution lines and most importantly, our members is top priority, and we want you to understand the methods to our madness in order to keep this community and our members happy and safe.

If you notice trees or foliage growing too close to your service lines, please call the office immediately at 665-3563.