Everyone loves trees. Trees provide beauty and shade, serve as wind, noise and visual barriers, and help reduce energy usage, reduce airborne pollutants, and increase property values. Trees that touch or fall on power lines can cause wildfires, power outages, property damage, or personal injury.

SWRE's Right of Way Maintenance Program is designed to prevent trees from coming into contact with power lines. All lines are routinely inspected for vegetation, and pruning is performed on a regular cycle. Trees native to our service territory produce as much as 72" (six feet!) of re-growth each year.

Our method of pruning is recommended by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture. It is the accepted industry pruning standard. Initially, your trees may look different after pruning. But directional pruning is actually better than other pruning methods for safety and the health of your tree. Here's why:

Directional, or target pruning involves removing only those limbs that will come in contact with energized conductors. It removes branches at a joint, or lateral, of a limb, where the tree would be likely to lose a branch under natural conditions. At this lateral, the tree's natural defenses protect against decay and disease.

Directional pruning reduces the number of times the tree must be pruned, reduces the number of fast-growing and weakly attached sprouts, and by directing growth away from the power lines, allows the tree to achieve its natural height and shape. With less desirable methods of pruning -- round-over or topping -- all tree limbs are cut back to stubs or small branches, eliminating foliage and buds containing next season's growth. This stimulates the production of vigorous, crowded, poorly tapered and weakly attached shoots, also called water-sprouts. The cut stubs are prone to decay and the water-sprouts are susceptible to breakage. Round-over and topping can weaken trees and make them less resistant to pests, while destroying their natural structure and aesthetic value.

Occasionally, it may be necessary to remove trees or brush. During routine inspections, SWRE experts look for trees that pose a threat to property or human life. For example, a tree off the SWRE right of way that is dead or dying, which could fall into the lines, must be removed. Hazardous conditions also arise when children climb trees growing too close to power lines. If you are concerned about a tree on your property, or are interested in possible removal of a tree near power lines, please call the SWRE at 1-800-256-7973.

Selecting a tree for planting is not a decision to be taken lightly, and is especially important around utilities. A tree requires space to grow both above and below ground. The mature height and spread of the tree should remain 10 feet from power lines. For a list of trees that are low growing and can be planted near power lines, call 1-800-256-7973 or your County Extension Agent. In addition, care should be taken that trees are planted at least 6 feet to the side of underground facilities. To find out where these are located before you plant, call - Oklahoma One-Call at 1-800-522-6543 OR DIG TESS. If you have a question regarding vegetation near power lines or general tree health and care, SWRE experts can inspect the trees or answer your questions.

Selecting the proper tree species and the appropriate planting site will provide trouble-free beauty and pleasure for years to come.