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Vegetation Management

Southside Electric Cooperative recognizes the valuable asset trees can be in our landscapes. However, when trees are planted and grow within or near electric rights-of-way, hazards to safe and reliable electric service are created.

Vegetation Management FAQs

What if I Don’t Want My Property Sprayed

Not a problem! Just fill out the below agreement.

This agreement made and entered into this day, by and between Cooperative, (hereinafter called "SEC"), and the property owner, hereinafter called "Owner."
Property Owner(Required)
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WHEREAS, SEC has the duty and responsibility for controlling brush within and along its ‘rights-of-way to ensure safe, reliable electricity, and access for members and employees. WHEREAS the Owner requests SEC waive brush control on the Owner's property; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
  1. Owner shall control all woody stem vegetation within said right-of-way.
  2. Owner will assist SEC employees in identifying areas not to be sprayed.
  3. In consideration of Owner's desire and willingness to maintain the applicable rights-of-way, SEC will delay brush control in those locations properly designated as long as the areas remain under control (less than 2’of woody stem growth). The Owner, at a minimum, must maintain rights-of-way at least once per growing season.
  4. Owner agrees and understands that failure to maintain the woody stem vegetation in said rights-of-way shall cause this agreement to be null and void, at which time SEC will take whatever steps necessary to have the right-of-way corrected, including mowing and herbicide application.
  5. Owner further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SEC for any and all injury to persons or property that may occur because of Owner's maintenance efforts on right of way.
  6. Owner agrees that SEC will supply No Spray signs for each exempted area, and Owner acknowledges that home-made No Spray signs will not be considered valid. If “No Spray” signs are taken down or disappear, it is Owner’s responsibility to call and notify SEC. Failure to communicate signs that have been removed could lead to an area being sprayed at no fault of SEC.
Name(Required)
Mailing Address
No Spray Property Address
Owner hereby agrees to be bound by the preceding agreement to maintain the area designated in this agreement:
Landowner Signature(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Why is Vegetation Management important/necessary?

Trees are one of the leading causes of power outages on SEC’s distribution system. When trees contact live wires, they can create power outages, potential for fires, and are a danger to anyone who may contact the trees. SEC strives to provide safe and reliable electricity for all members.

SEC has a Vegetation Management Program that works to:
o Keep the proper line to vegetation clearances.
o Provide accessibility for SEC lineworkers and contractors
o Reduce the amount of incompatible vegetation beneath the lines.
o Remove hazard trees that are dead/declining, or trees that pose a risk of coming in contact with lines.

What efforts does SEC take to maintain vegetation management?

Side-Trimming and Line Maintenance

SEC employs Line Clearing Contractors to trim vegetation back a minimum of 20 feet on each side of SEC’s distribution lines, mowing the undergrowth in unmaintained areas and trimming yard trees to 15 feet below the bottom wire. Trimming practices allow utilities to obtain their necessary line clearances, all of Southside Electric’s Contractors are required to follow the industry’s ANSI 300 tree trimming standards. Approximately 1,000 miles of side-trimming is completed per year.

Aerial Trimming

Aerial trimming is an efficient way to cut limbs overhanging power lines that are higher than standard bucket trucks can reach (60-70 feet) or are not accessible with equipment. The helicopter uses a detachable saw hanging 130 feet below to remove overhang and trim back vegetation. It is an efficient and cost-effective solution to trimming, providing many years of power lines being free from overhang. This method of trimming greatly reduces the chances of limbs falling from snow, ice and wind. The Cooperative has seen positive results from aerial trimming and has plans to continue trimming for the future. SEC performs an average of 6 weeks of aerial trimming a year.

Aerial Tree Trimming Video

Herbicide and Brush Control

SEC performs herbicide applications to approximately 1,800 miles per year. Areas are treated the first growing season after the side trim cycle, and then re-treated every three to four years to address any unwanted vegetation that has begun to grow back within the right-of-way. Selective herbicides are used to target saplings, vines, and other woody plants that can potentially grow tall enough to interfere with the power lines, or obstruct access to the rights-of-way. Only areas with undesirable vegetation that can potentially interfere with electric service are treated using low-volume backpack sprayers.

Herbicide Use FAQ

  • Are herbicides SEC uses safe for wildlife and pets? Yes. All herbicides used on the system have been tested and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • Will SEC spray my yard? No, only woody stemmed vegetation that has the potential to grow into the line will be sprayed in unmaintained rights-of-way.
  • Does SEC use roundup/glyphosate? No, only non-glyphosate mixes are used.
  • How is herbicide applied? Low-Volume Backpack Spray
  • Who performs herbicide application for SEC? SEC contracts with Alliance Forestry and Superior Forestry for herbicide applications.

To stay up to date on what vegetation management projects are taking place across SEC service territory, visit our Planned Maintenance & Construction Projects page.

Will I be made aware of vegetation management projects going on around my property?

Yes, members will receive an automated phone message before regularly scheduled line maintenance activities. SEC vegetation personnel ask that you please ensure that your primary phone number is up to date in your member portal to ensure that you receive these messages.

To stay up to date on what vegetation management projects are taking place across SEC service territory, visit our Planned Maintenance & Construction Projects page.

How do I choose the right tree to plant?
  • Always look up before planting a tree. Tree and power line conflicts can often be avoided by following this simple advice. When selecting trees to plant on your property, you should consider the mature height of the tree when determining a suitable planting location. Read the tag to determine how tall your selected tree will eventually grow. See how to choose the right tree for the right place.

Right Tree, Right Place infographic showing tree heights as compared to overhead power lines. At Least 50 Feet Away includes Tall trees: Maple, Oak, Pine (Taller than 40 feet); 25-50 Feet Away includes Medium trees: Redbud, Washington Hawthorn (Under 40 feet tall); At least 20 Feet Away - Small trees: Dogwood, Crabapple (under 25 feet tall). Pruning zone : Trees and shrubs will be pruned and trimmed if they are within 20 feet of overhead power lines.

  • Remember! Before you dig to plant, call VA811 at least three days in advance (not counting weekends and holidays) to have your underground utilities marked. They can be reached by simply dialing 8-1-1.
Why did you leave my tree in my yard after cutting it down?

Thousands of hazard trees are removed each year along Southside’s rights-of way (ROW) to prevent outages and damage to SEC’s infrastructure. If the tree is in an unmaintained ROW, the entire tree will be cut down, and left along the edge of the ROW, or in the woods. If a tree is in a maintained ROW (such as a yard), the contractors will chip all brush from the tree that can fit into a chipper (under 6” in diameter); and then all of the remaining wood will be cut into manageable firewood lengths.

Report a Hazard Tree

What is a Hazard Tree?
Hazard trees include dead, diseased, damaged, leaning or other trees that have grown in such a manner as to create a hazard to the Cooperative’s facilities. These trees may strike the Cooperative’s lines, poles and other infrastructure if they fall. Such hazard trees may be located outside the boundaries of the Cooperative’s rights-of-way and may be removed at any time at the discretion of the Cooperative.

*This form should only be used to report non-emergency hazards to the Cooperative.

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