Vegetation Management

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.

We trim trees and other vegetation to help maintain reliable electric service. Trees that grow too close to power lines can cause outages, especially during storms. Regular trimming helps reduce outages, safety risks and damage to our equipment.

Traditional trimming is done by crews on the ground using bucket trucks, chainsaws, and other tools to safely clear vegetation around power lines. Aerial trimming uses a helicopter equipped with a saw attachment suspended beneath it to trim trees along distribution rights-of-way or in areas difficult to reach from the ground.

Yes. Members are notified before both traditional and aerial vegetation management work begins in their area. Notification is provided through postcards and bill notices. To ensure you receive updates, please make sure your contact information is current.

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.

Trimming is performed by a combination of SCI team members and contract crews. All crews are trained and certified in utility line clearance to ensure safety and reliability. Aerial trimming is conducted by specialized contractors working under cooperative supervision.

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.

When planting trees, always consider their mature height and distance from power lines. Choose low-growing species for areas near overhead lines. Our team can provide guidance on planting the right tree in the right place.