Trees are one of the top causes of power outages. A single tree branch on a lower-voltage distribution line can disrupt power for thousands of customers, while a limb falling on a higher-voltage transmission line can cause widespread, extended outages across multiple states and regions. That’s why our forestry crews work year-round to keep vegetation away from our power lines and equipment.
Working Around Lower-Voltage Distribution Lines
Crews will visit your area at least once every four years, looking for trees or branches near our distribution power lines and equipment that could impact your electric service. If they spot any concerns, they’ll take action to help prevent future tree-related outages.
Since 2009, this proactive work has reduced tree-related outages by 93%.
While we’ve seen a significant decrease in outages caused by trees within our utility right-of-way, those that fall outside this area continue to pose a threat—especially during severe weather. Heavy rain and high winds increase the risk of trees falling, bringing down our power lines and equipment.
We started a program in 2018 to address trees outside our right-of-way that could cause power outages. Our initial focus was on dead or diseased trees, like those infected by the Emerald Ash Borer. In the past few years, the majority of tree-related power outages have been caused by live trees outside of the right-of-way. While some trees may not show any signs of structural defects or disease, they still pose a threat if they’re too close to power lines or equipment.
“We want to keep your power on, and sometimes that means taking extra steps to trim or remove vegetation outside the area we’re required to maintain,” said Dale Hopkins, distribution forestry manager for AEP Ohio. “We appreciate customers being open to having a conversation with our crews when we spot something that could cause a future outage for you and your neighbors.”
In addition to being professionally trained, many of our foresters are also Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) by the International Society of Arboriculture to identify and assess trees that could cause issues with your electric service.
What You Can Expect
If we have forestry work planned in your community, we’ll let you know what to expect in advance. If we need to do tree trimming or removal work on your property, a work planner will knock on your door. If you aren’t home, we’ll leave a door hanger with a phone number to call if you have any questions or concerns.
It’s important to keep your contact information up to date, so our team can reach you. To verify we have your best contact information, visit AEPOhio.com/Account.
Our forestry work is all about keeping your power on. We prioritize the need for reliable electric service with respect for the natural environment. Learn more about our distribution forestry work and the important role our tree crews play during storms at AEPOhio.com/Trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between transmission and distribution power lines?
Once power is generated, it moves through higher-voltage transmission lines — you’ll often recognize these as tall steel towers and poles in your community. This higher-voltage electricity travels long distances until it arrives at a substation in your area. From here, it travels shorter distances through lower-voltage distribution lines and equipment to power your home or business. Watch this video to learn more about how our electrical system works.
AEP Ohio is required to follow Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) guidelines for vegetation management. Practices for trimming around distribution and transmission lines differ. Learn more about transmission forestry guidelines at AEPTransmission.com.
What’s a utility right-of-way?
A utility right-of-way allows us to access a customer’s property for forestry work, maintenance and improvements needed to help keep your power on.
SAFETY REMINDER
Never attempt to trim or remove trees or branches near power lines. Serious injury or even death can occur. If you have a tree-related concern, please call 614-883-6987. We use only trained and licensed professionals to clear trees away from our power lines.
Very large trees were cut down in the utility easement at the back of our property and left on the ground. They were not cleared. Why were the trees not cleared when they were cut? It is a mess and we have always kept our yard clear. Is AEP not required to clear trees after they cut them down and away from utility lines?
Thomas, we remove branches and limbs from maintained and landscaped areas when doing regular clearing. Wood is left for the property owner’s use. In non-maintained areas, wood, branches and limbs are left to decompose naturally. If you would like to speak to someone on the forestry team, please give them a call at 614-883-6987.
If I have a large dead tree on my property that is a clear potential problem, can I proactively contact ARP to schedule its removal.
Hi Raymond. Someone from the forestry team has reached out to you for more information. If you want to call them directly, their number is 614-883-6987. As a general rule, AEP Ohio will only remove trees that pose a threat to our power lines or equipment. If you have a questionable tree on your property that is near power lines, you can submit a description and/or photo to our team at AEPOhioForestry@aep.com to help make an assessment.
Our property @ Township Rd 423 Walhonding,Ohio is not typically occupied so please reach out to me, Jeff Sturtz, and we can schedule a time to review the corridor your power lines run through our property.
Thanks for the information, Jeff. We’ve shared your information with our forestry team. Please reply to their email or give them a call at 614-883-6987.
We have a tree at our office in Upper Sandusky, Ohio that the wires are going right through the middle of the tree. It would be a good idea to take a look at it. Tree is very old and should probably be removed and we would be open to
Thanks for letting us know, Pamela. A member of our forestry team has reached out to you to get more information. Please email them back or give them a call at 614-883-6987.
I have all kinds of big branches hanging over or close to transmission/service lines.. they haven’t been trimmed back by helicopter with saw blades for over 7yrs now.. now the growth is back? When are they gonna cut/prune/trim them back in Ross County Ohio??
Mark, our distribution forestry team trims and removes trees on a four-year cycle, but the transmission team may follow a different cycle. Someone from our distribution forestry team has reached out to you for more information. Please email them back or give them a call at 614-883-6987.
I am very pleased to receive your information. My wife and I are concerned about a tree near our back yard,(neighbor’s yard) that if the limbs break during a wind storm, the electric lines would be damaged. I will call the number you listed. Tom Binegar
Very good article. “A stitch in time saves nine”.
I’m interested in the tree trimming around my property
Randy, crews will visit your area at least once every four years, looking for trees or branches near our distribution power lines and equipment that could impact your electric service. If they spot any concerns, they’ll take action to help prevent future tree-related outages.
Hi. Have not seen you trim limbs on my property above lines, when will that be done?
Bob, crews will visit your area at least once every four years, looking for trees or branches near our distribution power lines and equipment that could impact your electric service. If they spot any concerns, they’ll take action to help prevent future tree-related outages. If you would like more information, please call the AEP Ohio Forestry team at 614-883-6987.
How much do they cost to have tree trimming thanks
The proactive forestry work done around our distribution lines is part of the service AEP Ohio provides, Nana. There is not a separate charge for it.
Instead of trimming trees planted under power lines continually, offer customers a replacement tree in safe area and cut those trees down instead of continually trimming them.
how to have someone check a tree in my yard
Shirley, please call the AEP Ohio Forestry team at 614-883-6987.
I have a dead tree right next to power lines. I called someone at AEP, and someone came out, took pictures, and said I would get a call back, but I never did, so I guess I am stuck trying to cut it down myself, even though you say not to in the article.
Hello Mark. A member of our forestry team has reached out to you to get more information. Please reply back or give them a call at 614-883-6987.
Wow! A treasure of golden information. The article is plain written. Thank you All for All You Do Everyday And Keeping Everyone Safe And keeping our Power on. Thank you.
How does one get a job doing this kind of work.
Mary, you can view available positions at AEP.com/Careers. Some of our forestry work is done by our contractor partners, so you could also apply at local forestry companies in your area.
AEP cut down approx 50 beautiful trees in our neighborhood. The promise to restore our former beautiful walking path and property has not been kept. AEP was in a break-neck speed hurry to cut down all of our trees but now seems to be dragging their feet in keeping their promise of restoration. What a disappointment and sad commentary on your company!
Joyce, thanks for reaching out. Someone from our forestry team has emailed you back. If you’d like to call them directly, the number is 614-883-6987.
Aspen.They was in my area last week I asked him if they could take the stuff off of my line to my pole and he told me that he could not do that he had certain numbers that he had to get in my pole was not one of them even though every time it storms or blows hard my electric goes out it’s not from my pole it’s just wayin my line down.
Thanks for letting us know, Deanna. Someone from our forestry team has reached out to you to get more information. If you would like to contact them directly, please call 614-883-6987.
We have a tree that branches are close to lines. Rented a lift to take tree clear down, the guy using the lift was afraid to cut some branches for fear of hitting the lines. Can’t afford to rent lift again, we can get rid of wood but would like ALL the branches off the trunk….WILL AEP DO THAT?
Hi Beverly, please call AEP Ohio Forestry at 614-883-6987 to discuss your situation.
Proactive tree management is crucial for preventing power outages. It’s great to see utility crews taking steps to keep our neighborhoods safe and powered up year-round!