Office Hours: Mon.–Thur. 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

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Trees & Power Lines

Proper tree and vegetation management ensures reliable electric service by preventing outages caused by overgrown branches and plants.

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Click here to see the 2026 Tree-Trimming Map.

To reduce potential tree-related problems, we operate an aggressive vegetation management program. Our contractors look for foliage growing under lines, overhanging branches, leaning or other types of “danger” trees that could pull down a power line if they fall, and trees that could grow into lines. It’s a job that’s never done - by the time crews finish trimming along our 1,350 miles of distribution lines, vegetation has started to grow back at the starting point.

As we work to keep a safe, reliable, and affordable power supply flowing to your home or business, we need your help. Let us know if you notice trees or branches that might pose a risk to our power lines at 419-394-4110 or email us.

Only trees in primary lines will be trimmed by the cooperative. It is your responsibility to keep limbs clear of secondary lines, which run from the transformer to your home. If you would like to trim your trees in secondary lines, contact the office so steps can be taken for you to complete the work safely. 

We will notify affected members by e-mail or letter before trimming. 

Directional Pruning

Directional Pruning

Directional pruning is intended to guide new growth away from power lines. Entire limbs or portions of limbs that are growing toward the lines are removed back to the main branch or trunk, the point where they would naturally shed if the limbs were to die from natural causes. This leaves the tree's natural defense system intact and minimizes impact on the tree crown. In a few situations, the recommendation may be made to remove a tree, rather than try to trim it. These situations include: when a rapidly growing tree is directly under a power line, when a tree is leaning toward high-voltage power lines, or when a tree has a structural defect that increases its risk of falling.

Directional pruning may not look as appealing as simply rounding off the top of the tree, but it is far better for the long-term health of the tree. It is recommended and approved by the National Arborist Association and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Planting New Trees

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If you’re considering the addition of any new trees to your landscape, give careful consideration to particular tree species and how they may impact any power lines on your grounds. While no trees should be planted in the vicinity of high-voltage transmission lines, there are many trees that, under normal conditions, will not grow tall enough to interfere with distribution lines. Some of these trees can also be attractive additions to your landscape and generally grow to mature heights of twenty feet or less:

  1. Crabapple
  2. Flowering Dogwood
  3. Hawthorne
  4. Bristlecone Pine
  5. Common Juniper
  6. Trident, Amur, Paperback, and Tartarian Maples
  7. Rose Acacia

The following species, however, are particularly tall growing, and should be planted no closer than sixty feet from distribution lines:

  1. Oak
  2. Colorado Blue Spruce
  3. Silver and Norway Maples
  4. Most pine species

Tree Seedling Reimbursement

Midwest Electric has a special offer to help you plant trees in the right place this spring!

Free Tree Seedlings
  • The reimbursement will be in the form of an electric bill credit.
  • We will reimburse you for buying a tree seedling packet from your local Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)
  • This is limited to the first 300 members
  • Limit $15 reimbursement
  • Your purchase must be from the SWCD. Purchases from other sources will not be reimbursed.
  • Send us your receipt/proof of purchase
Instructions

Please contact your local SWCD. Typically, they require an order form that can be mailed or downloaded from their websites. Plus, they require payment when your order is placed. Delivery is normally mid-April.