Reliability & Tree Trimming

Trees and other vegetation are the number one cause of power outages. That’s why Appalachian Power maintains rights of way with tree trimming and vegetation management.

Keeping our rights of way in the best possible shape has a big effect on our overall reliability. While trimming and vegetation management will not protect against outages in major events, it will result in more reliable electric service overall. Also, improved access to lines and equipment will make restoration faster and easier.

• To learn more about general tree trimming guidelines, see Utility Pruning Of Trees and Transmission Right of Way Clearing and Maintenance.
• Learn how to plant the right tree in the right place.
• To learn how you can save energy by planting trees, review our landscaping information.
• To report a tree problem, use our tree maintenance request.
• Learn more about Appalachian Power’s distribution vegetation management activities in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Virginia

Appalachian Power maintains more than 26,000 miles of overhead distribution lines in Virginia. Our maintenance program is developed on a yearly basis using current vegetation conditions and outage history data to focus our resources where the need is greatest. Before tree crews enter an area, an Appalachian Power forester or other representative will review the conditions to determine the work to be done. He or she looks for trees growing directly under power lines, overhanging branches, hazardous trees, or other hazardous issues. Overall, our goal is to provide safe and reliable electric service. It is not our responsibility to protect private or public property from falling trees or limbs.

West Virginia

In West Virginia we use a system called cycle-based vegetation management. This program began in 2014 with the goal of clearing all overhead lines over an initial six-year period. After the initial six-year implementation, clearing will be performed on a four-year cycle. This method allows for vegetation management on entire circuits to improve reliability for all customers on each circuit. Before tree crews enter an area, an Appalachian Power forester or other representative will review the conditions to determine the work to be done. He or she looks for trees growing directly under power lines, overhanging branches, hazardous trees, or other hazardous issues. Overall, our goal is to provide safe and reliable electric service. It is not our responsibility to protect private or public property from falling trees or limbs.

Tennessee

In Tennessee we use a system called cycle-based vegetation management. This program began in 2018 with the goal of clearing all overhead lines over a four-year period. This method allows for vegetation management on entire circuits to improve reliability for all customers on each circuit. Before tree crews enter an area, an Appalachian Power forester or other representative will review the conditions to determine the work to be done. He or she looks for trees growing directly under power lines, overhanging branches, hazardous trees, or other hazardous issues. Overall, our goal is to provide safe and reliable electric service. It is not our responsibility to protect private or public property from falling trees or limbs.