Tree trimming

Tree limbs can interfere with power lines – especially when severe weather hits. Trees are a common cause of service interruptions and outages. Storm damage can disrupt power for extended periods.

Tree limbs and branches that extend into power lines pose a significant risk to public safety even during mild weather. Someone who contacts a tree intertwined with power lines can be seriously injured.

Our crews, which include both Alliant Energy employees and contract workers, routinely trim trees around high- and low-voltage lines on a four- to five-year cycle for each community we serve.

For safety reasons, we have permission under franchise and easement agreements with the communities we serve to trim trees as needed. This means we may trim trees on your property without your permission when necessary. We do not trim beyond what is necessary for public safety and service reliability. We will never remove a tree without the property owner’s permission, but may suggest it be removed if diseased, dying, storm damaged or likely to be severely deformed by trimming.

Our crews use directional pruning methods developed by the National Arborist Association and approved by the National Arbor Day Foundation. These methods protect the health of the tree and ensure the established minimum safety clearance. Directional pruning encourages the tree to grow away from the line, minimizing the need for and severity of future trimming. We are proud to be a long-time National Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA Utility, committed to public education, tree planting and quality tree care.

The amount of trimming we do depends on the type of tree and how close it is to power lines. For example, we may cut back a fast-growing tree like a silver maple more than a slow-growing tree. We trim to a clearance of approximately 10 to 12 feet from our high-voltage lines around fast-growing trees and 5 to 7 feet around slow-growing trees.

At a customer's request, we will consider removing a tree on private property if it interferes with a high-voltage line at the top of a utility pole and if removing it will eliminate the need for future trimming. We will not remove trees near low-voltage service lines to a home or business.

We’ll move power lines or shut off service at no cost so you can trim or remove trees safely. To request a service line drop for a future business day, contact us at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).

If you are not skilled in tree trimming safety, hire a trained professional. Look for those with certification credentials from recognized arborist associations.

Anyone who trims trees should always keep themselves and their tools at least 10 feet from power lines and be aware anything that touches the line could be charged and dangerous to touch with their body or tools.

Wood chips are available to customers only if a crew is working in their neighborhood. If you'd like to obtain wood chips, it is your responsibility to locate the crew and make arrangements.

Planting a tree is a great way to help the environment and provide shade or a windbreak on your property. To choose the right kind and where to plant it, there are many factors to consider including:

• Height: Will the tree touch or come close to power lines, poles or anything else when fully grown?
• Canopy spread: How wide will it grow?
• Growth rate: How long will it take to reach full height? Slow-growing species typically live longer than fast-growing species.
• Soil, sun and moisture requirements.

Find more information on this Arbor Day Foundation webpage. It provides many helpful tips and illustrations.