Southside Electric Cooperative has tree contractors on its system working year-round to prevent vegetation from causing power interruptions. In doing so, contractors often create a large amount of brush. How they handle that brush is all dependent on whether the area is maintained or unmaintained. SEC handles clean up from maintenance trimming differently depending on where the brush is located. The main difference comes from what is maintained versus unmaintained right of way.
An area is considered a maintained right-of-way if a member regularly mows it with a lawnmower, and so long as it does not require any brush control maintenance from the Co-op between trim cycles. SEC strives to leave the areas that are trimmed looking the same or better than we found it, so in a maintained area, all brush left will be chipped and hauled off. Any wood from removed trees will be cut into firewood sized lengths and stacked where the tree was removed. The goal is to have all brush in maintained areas chipped within three business days from the time it was cut. However, it can vary depending on the weather and ground conditions.
An area is considered unmaintained if it is not mowed with a lawnmower, and/or if it requires any sort of brush control vegetation maintenance from the Co-op between trim cycles. In an unmaintained area, we will mulch any brush inside the right of way with a forestry mulcher, or bush hogged with a tractor, and it will stay there. Any wood that is left from a tree removal will be dropped along the edge or outside of the right of way and left in the condition it was cut in. Brush in unmaintained areas is mulched as quickly as possible, and again the goal is to have it cleaned up within 3 business days.
SEC performs herbicide applications to approximately 1,800 miles per year. Areas are treated the first growing season after the side trim cycle, 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 target saplings, vines, and other woody plants that can grow tall enough to interfere with the power lines or obstruct access to the right-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 the herbicides SEC uses safe for wildlife and pets? Absolutely. All the herbicides we use on our system have undergone rigorous testing and have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ensuring their safety for all living beings.
Are herbicides safe to have near water? Yes. SEC requires contractors to use aquatic-friendly herbicides when spraying within 50 feet of a waterway. 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, we do not. We only use non-glyphosate mixes, ensuring that our herbicide applications are free from potentially harmful chemicals. 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. What if I don’t want my property sprayed? If you wish to opt out of SEC’s herbicide applications, a No Spray Agreement form must be signed and adhered to. This form can be accessed below:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, members who have an email address on file will receive an email notification, while members with no email address on file will receive an automated phone message before regularly scheduled line maintenance activities. SEC vegetation personnel ask that you please ensure that your primary email address and primary phone number is up to date in your member portal to ensure that you receive these messages.
