In the coming months, Asplundh Tree Experts will be clearing vegetation along the utility right-of-ways in various Owen Electric Cooperative service areas. Owen Electric has the responsibility to provide the safest and most reliable electric service to its members.
Trees growing into electric lines can not only cause power outages, but also pose a risk to anyone that comes in contact with that tree. Additionally, having trees and brush cleared from the right-of-way makes repairs easier and faster, reducing the length of outages.
Owen Electric maintains a minimum of 15 feet on both sides of the line for single phase lines and 20 feet on both sides of the line on 3-phase lines. Smaller volunteer trees are considered brush and will be removed if located inside the right-of-way. Debris from the trimmings will be chipped, and larger limbs will be cut to manageable sizes and left near the tree or stump. If you are interested in wood chips, let us know.
Owen Electric's goal is to have the right-of-way free of any tall growing vegetation. If you have a tree inside the right-of-way that you would prefer to have removed rather than trimmed, or any questions regarding right-of-way maintenance practices, please contact Right-of-Way Manager Tom Nelke at (800) 372-7612, ext. 3553.