Trees and Your Electric Service

Tree Trimming 

Diseased or overgrown trees can damage power lines and lead to outages. To ensure reliable service, we will visit your neighborhood every five to seven years to trim around high voltage electric wires. We do not trim outside of our schedule unless there is a significant hazard affecting those wires.

Homeowners are responsible for trimming tree branches near the low voltage service drop to their individual home. Many people choose to remove these trees to reduce the risk that their tree may damage their home or electric service. To learn more how to manage the trees that grow around the distribution lines that power your homes and businesses, read our brochures on our trimming policies, planting near electric lines, and how to combat tree-killing insects.  

Trees & Power Line Safety

Diseased or overgrown trees can damage power lines and lead to outages. To ensure reliable service, we have extensive tree pruning and removal programs in place, but you may also be responsible for the upkeep of any vegetation near power lines on your property. Learn to identify the two types of power lines we use and be sure to follow our guidelines for planting and maintaining vegetation accordingly.

Distribution Lines

The wooden poles that run along roads and connect to homes and businesses are called distribution lines. These lines power our everyday lives, but can be damaged by improperly planted or weakened trees. Closely monitor the growth of any trees near distribution lines on your property.

Transmission Lines

Transmission lines are large wooden or steel poles that transfer high-voltage power, and often run across the landscape or behind homes. Because these lines carry such high voltages, National Grid has established rights of way (ROWs) where vegetation growth around transmission lines is strictly regulated to prevent damage.

More Information

If you have distribution or transmission lines on your property, find more information about our programs and your responsibilities:

• Information for Landowners Along our Transmission Lines
• Pennsylvania State's Research on Vegetation Management on ROWs
• Trees and Your Electric Service
• How to avoid tree & utility line conflicts when selecting and planting trees
• Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long-Horned Beetle