Vegetation Management

Vegetation Work in Your Area

SCI REMC vegetation management crews will be performing trimming in the Cunot and Ellettsville area this spring. Please stay a few hundred feet back from crews and activity. Cleanup follows each phase and may continue for a few weeks due to the amount of debris. For more information, see our FAQ below or call (765) 352-4717 with specific questions.

Notifying Members

To help ensure timely notification, members are encouraged to keep their contact information up to date. SCI REMC will make every effort to notify members before work is performed on their property.

Members will receive a postcard or a bill insert before work begins in their area. Please ensure we have your accurate contact information on file so we can keep you informed.

We appreciate your cooperation as crews complete this important work to support a safer, more reliable electric system.

Tree Trimming

Maintaining electric lines alongside beautiful old groves of maple, oak, and ash is not an easy job.

A strong wind can turn a scenic front yard into an electrical disaster when trees and lines are not properly maintained.

Tree trimming is a necessary part of providing electric service to your home or business.

Without proper trimming, trees can impact power lines, increasing outages and restoration costs.

Trees are part of nature we all value, which is why SCI employs several certified arborists on its Vegetation Management team.

View our Vegetation Management Brochure (PDF)

Why does SCI REMC trim trees?

What’s the difference between traditional and aerial trimming?

Will I be notified before trimming happens near my property?

Why is SCI using aerial trimming, and is it safe?

Aerial trimming is faster and more efficient in hard-to-access areas, such as rural, hilly, or swampy terrain. It allows crews to safely clear many miles of right-of-way in a short time, helping reduce outages and improve reliability.

Safety is our top priority. Pilots are trained and certified in utility vegetation management, and aerial saws are used only in controlled areas. Flight paths are carefully planned to ensure the safety of people, animals, and property.

What happens to the trimmed debris?

During aerial trimming, any brush that falls onto access roads, maintained yards, agricultural fields, or into streams will be moved to nearby wooded areas by a ground crew to be cleaned up later.

Crews will also pile debris for pickup once trimming is complete and address any dead or hazardous trees they find in the right of way. For traditional trimming, debris is typically chipped or removed.

Cleanup follows each phase of work. We appreciate your understanding as crews work in your area.

Who performs the trimming?

Can I request trimming or report a tree near a line?

Yes. If you see a tree growing too close to power lines or one that appears to pose a risk, please contact us by emailing us at askus@sciremc.com. Please include your service address and account number, if applicable.

Property owners can put themselves at serious risk by trying to trim or remove trees near energized lines. The safest and best approach is to avoid attempting any work yourself.

Please note: Property owners who cut or trim trees and cause damage to SCI REMC facilities will be billed for repairs.

How can I help prevent tree-related outages?

Stay Informed

Learn more about our trimming processes and watch videos.

We appreciate your cooperation while we complete this important work to help keep your power safer and more reliable!

Contact Us

I still have questions. How do I contact you?

We’re happy to help. You can submit your questions by:

Emailing us at askus@sciremc.com or

Calling (765) 342-3344.

Tell us how we’re doing.

We would love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us anytime at: Give Us Feedback – South Central Indiana REMC

Herbicide Process on Access Corridors

To keep your electric service safe and reliable, SCI REMC regularly maintains vegetation along public and private access corridors. This includes a combination of mechanical clearing and follow-up herbicide treatments to manage fast regrowth and ensure crews can reach lines and equipment when needed.

Herbicide applications are performed by trained and certified professionals using EPA-approved products. Maintained areas—such as lawns, ornamental plantings, and active agricultural fields—are not sprayed.

This approach reduces repeated mowing, minimizes disruption to property and wildlife, and supports the growth of native plants. Maintaining these corridors helps us respond quickly during outages and keep service dependable year-round.

If you have questions, please contact us at (765) 352-4717.

Who can I talk with about herbicide application on my property?

What if I want herbicides applied only to certain parts of my property?

This is a common request, such as near a garden, and most often it is not necessary to apply herbicides in these areas as undergrowth is not generally present where the property is maintained with grass or gardens. However, if woody stemmed growth is present, certain areas can be avoided at your request. SCI REMC would much prefer to work with a property owner and avoid certain areas rather than not apply to the whole property. Again, it is the member’s responsibility to inform ProtecTerra of those areas where application should be avoided.

How will I be notified about when and where you will be spraying?

Why are herbicides used?

A Clear Path

Ideally, a clear right-of-way has no trees, limbs, or brush within 15 feet in either direction of the centerline created by a series of poles.
Creating a clear path requires a sensitive approach.
The health and appearance of the trees is important.

Shade, fruit, and ornamental trees are not typically removed without member notification or approval, except when necessary for safety or reliability.
Trees are trimmed when limbs come closer than 10 feet to the neutral or phase wires.
Our crews trim trees with consideration for safety and reliability first. While we aim to respect the natural shape of the tree, aerial trimming may limit the ability to achieve full symmetry.

Maintenance By Request

It is our responsibility not only to maintain the area around the lines but to keep you safe as well
Property owners can put themselves at risk by attempting to maintain trees that come in contact with power lines
The best approach is to not attempt anything yourself

If a tree or brush comes within 10 feet of our power lines anywhere on your property, call for assistance
Property owners cutting or trimming trees that cause damage to SCI REMC facilities will be billed for repairs

For the Environment

SCI REMC maintains a Wildlife Enhancement Program that fosters various native species in our service territory
We even use a proprietary wildlife seed mix in our rights-of-ways to enhance the wildlife population

Colored Ribbons on Trees

When our Vegetation Management team identifies vegetation on your property that requires attention, you will see a colored ribbon tied to it. These ribbons allow us to identify the work that will be performed.

Red

Trees that are to be removed

Green

Trees that are to be trimmed

Black/Yellow Striped

Dead/danger trees to be “made safe” or agreed upon, member requested, removals

Trees “Made Safe”

The definition of “made safe” is: a tree that needs to be cut below line level so that if it falls or the remainder is cut, it will not hit any line structures (electric, telephone, cable, etc.)
There is no clean-up of any debris left after “made safe” has been performed
All debris will remain on your property

Please do not remove any identification ribbons that may be placed on your trees or bushes until crews have completed the necessary work.

Stump Removal

Stump Removal is not part of the tree removal process

Stumps will be cut as close to the ground as permitted by conditions and property owner agreements

Planting Guidelines

Tree Replacement

Our Vegetation Management Team

SCI has several certified employees:

Pesticide Registered Technicians

(RT)

Licensed Industrial Weed management Applicators

(Category 6)

Licensed Aquatic Pesticide Applicators

(Category 5)

ISA Internationally Certified Utility Arborist

(Less than 30 in Indiana)

ISA Internationally Certified Arborist

(Around 200 in Indiana)

ISA Qualified Tree Risk-Assessors