Did you know fallen trees and branches are one of the most common causes of power outages? That’s why our forestry crews take a proactive approach to help reduce tree-related power outages. They work to remove trees and branches from around our power lines and equipment before they cause a problem — and they also play a key role in getting the lights back on when storms cause damage.
Proactive, Ongoing Maintenance
Our robust, ongoing tree maintenance program brings forestry crews to your community at least every four years. Crews assess the trees around our power lines and equipment and trim back or remove any threats with the goal of helping prevent future tree-related power outages.
This comprehensive program has been shown to improve the reliability of our electric service. Since 2009, our proactive tree-trimming efforts have reduced tree-related outages by 93%.
Spotting Future Hazards
During ongoing maintenance, our crews also look for any other trees outside of our utility right of way that could pose a threat to your electric service. If our crews spot something that could cause a future power problem, we work closely with landowners to take action.
Clearing the Way to Restore Power
Our forestry crews are among the first on the scene during a tree-related power outage. These crews clear trees and branches as quickly and safely as possible. Their efforts allow our lineworkers access to downed lines and/or damaged equipment to begin making repairs. Once power is restored, property owners are responsible for cleaning up and disposing of the trees or branches cut by our crews.
Our goal is to provide safe and reliable electric service while keeping in mind the health and beauty of the trees where you work, live and play. To learn more about our forestry work, please visit AEPOhio.com/Trees.
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Added Bonus – Beyond the Branches
Our forestry team loves nature and always looks for ways to go the extra mile. Below are a few examples of how they’ve gotten creative with their work to help the community.
Branching Out to Support Animals
Through our Trim to Treat partnership, some trees and branches our forestry crews trim are donated and delivered to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds to benefit the animals.
Helping Promote Pollinators
Our crews teamed up with Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve in Chillicothe to turn the existing right-of-way — the area around AEP Ohio’s power lines and equipment — into a designated pollinator habitat to help promote the growth of native wildflowers and plants.
Someone from the power company came to my door and asked if wanted a tree cut down close to a power line. I said it was ok to cut down the tree and it was marked with a big blue X. That was almost two years ago? Any chance it will be cut down?
Hi Glenn. We are looking into your question. A forestry representative will be in touch with you soon. Thanks for letting us know.
AEP did need to cut back the invasive bamboo growing on the other side of the fence behind my house. My complaint is that they accessed the bamboo through my yard. They removed the cut bamboo through gates on both sides of the house. I was not there on Tuesday when this happened. Thursday I planned to cut the grass and was amazed to find bamboo all over the front yard, on both sides of the house and all over the back yard. I had to spend hours picking it up before I could mow. The bamboo sticks are worse than regular tree stick for lawn mowers. I didn’t even get a chance to pick up all the bamboo sticks in the back and so didn’t get to mow it.
If AEP spent the time putting the lines underground perhaps the danger from trees could be eliminated?
The bamboo is a particular problem and because it is invasive, it is always a battle to keep it out of my yard. This bamboo clean up was like salt in the wound–insult to injury!!
The lines run behind the fence, not on my property. If AEP had to cut access through the bamboo on the neighboring property then at least the problem would have been where it should have been. I feel like I was punished for having clear access.
Thank you for alerting us, Victoria. I am sorry you aren’t happy with our trimming. I have sent your message to our forestry department and someone will in touch with you soon to talk about this issue.
Thank you, I was contacted. Someone was sent out to inspect and the yard had been cleared—yes, I had to do that.
The issue is the access. The back yard behind mine, with the bamboo, has the lines and pole.
Vines have grown up to the top of the pole (and are potentially on power transformer). It is located at the corner of the properties at 607 Fallis, 601 Fallis and Clintonville Motors. (Approx 40°02’17.1″N 83°00’03.3″W)
Mike, thanks for the heads up. I just sent this to our forestry group. You may be hearing from them soon.
The last big storm came through our area in June and we were without electricity for 8 days. There has not been any tree trimming in this area before the storm hit and only clean up crews to move the old debris from the fallen trees. The electrical poles were rotten and should have been replaced years ago. It looks like for the amount of money spent on overtime to restore electricity could have been used to trim trees and change rotten poles. This area has been neglected. Haughton, LA.
Forest crews play an important role in ensuring the reliability of our power supply. Their efforts in managing vegetation near power lines help to prevent outages caused by fallen trees and branches during storms or windy conditions. We often take for granted the continuous flow of electricity into our homes, but this would not be possible without the dedication of these crews. Let us appreciate their efforts to keep the lights on and our lives running smoothly.