Tree Pruning

• Our forestry professionals and contractors will visit your property to speak to you in person or will leave a door card to notify you of upcoming tree work.
• Customers will be contacted directly to discuss and approve any tree removals over 8” in diameter before they are removed.
• Ribbons left on risk trees by forestry personnel are to aid in the identification and discussion of removal possibility. Removal will not occur without discussion with the property owner first.

Unitil doesn't trim or remove trees that affect phone or cable wires, or individual customer service lines. It's your responsibility to keep trees clear of the electric service line that runs from the pole to your house. Stay at least 10 feet away from these energized lines and don't attempt to prune trees or branches around them on your own! Hire a qualified professional and always assume lines are energized.

Please note: If you, or your tree contractor, are pruning or removing a tree near power lines, Unitil will disconnect the electric service and reconnect the service after the tree work is completed, free of charge. Please schedule by calling 1-888-301-7700.

Unitil does not prune unless there is apparent wear or hard contact pushing the service line out of its normal arc. All house service pruning requests are reviewed by forestry personnel. If it's necessary, we'll have a contractor perform the pruning. Learn more about tree requests.

During storms, Unitil crews are focused on safety and power restoration by cutting and clearing trees and limbs as quickly and safely as possible. During these emergency situations, tree work is completed without homeowner notification. Tree branches and debris aren't cleaned-up and must be disposed of by the tree owner.

One of our techniques, directional pruning, directs tree growth away from power lines. This pruning practice was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and is endorsed by the International Society of Arboriculture, the National Arbor Day Foundation and other tree-care professionals around the world.

The following illustrations are examples of the proper directional pruning for shade and ornamental trees. Doing your own pruning? Look up! Always maintain a ten-foot clearance and be careful with ladders and equipment.

Side Pruning

We strive to trim vegetation to approx. ten feet back from electrical wire. This pruning is conducted pole to pole.

Overhead Pruning

Typically we trim 15 feet above the wires on top of the poles. Greater clearance may be required depending upon tree species and location. Along certain mainline portions, we may seek Ground to Sky clearance to remove all overhead branches to protect the wires and our customers from sustaining large power outages.

Ground Cut

Ground cutting includes the removal of small trees and brush eight inches in diameter or less for species with the capacity to grow into the wires.

Under Pruning

We cut along the ground to remove small trees. For larger trees, we prune below the lowest wire attachment to maintain proper clearance.

Transmission vegetation management refers to maintenance of Unitil's rights-of-way. The transmission system is the "backbone" of our electric system. Tree and limb contact must be completely eliminated on these lines to ensure continuous service.

* Right-of-way clearance widths can vary.

The company’s right-of-way maintenance program is based on Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) principles and practices. IVM is defined as a system of managing plant communities by which vegetation managers identify compatible and incompatible vegetation, consider action thresholds, evaluate control methods, and select and implement controls to achieve specific objectives.

Unitil can identify significant risk trees, or hazard trees, that pose a threat to the electric system. We want to remove high-risk trees before they fall and affect your service and safety. During cycle pruning, we sometimes identify trees on your property that need removal. We'll notify you if action is necessary and you're welcome to discuss it with us further.  

For Unitil-initiated routine work only: Unitil notifies you if a tree on your property has been identified as a hazard. A qualified Unitil contractor removes the tree for free. Branches and brush are chipped and large wood is cut into manageable lengths and left for homeowners. Stumps are left intact.

Some of the things we look for:

1. Regrowth — there is regrowth from topping, line clearance or other pruning.
2. Electrical lines — there is an electrical line adjacent to the tree.
3. Damaged branches — broken or partly attached branches.
4. Weakness — open cavity in trunk or branch.
5. Dead branches — dead or dying branches.
6. Odd growth — branches arise at one point on the trunk.
7. Decay — decay and rot present in old wounds.
8. Ground support — recent change in grade, soil level or other construction.

Please note: If a tree or limbs are cut down as part of an emergency call, the debris and wood are left for you to remove.

Also note: If you, or your tree contractor, are pruning or removing a tree near power lines, Unitil will disconnect the electric service and reconnect the service after the tree work is completed, free of charge. Please schedule by calling 1-888-301-7700.