Vegetation Management

Vegetation Management

NHEC’s Vegetation Management Department helps maintain our system reliability by trimming vegetation in close proximity to power lines. New Hampshire is one of the most forested states in the country and damage from falling trees and branches is by far the leading cause of power outages. With this in mind, NHEC uses an Integrated Vegetation Management Plan (IVMP) to reduce the risk to both reliability and safety.

Integrated Vegetation Management Plan

Our IVMP is the way we maintain our right-of-way corridors where power lines are located. An IVMP consists of mechanical, chemical and cultural control measures to keep right-of-ways clear and reduce power outages. Chainsaws, mechanical mowers, bucket trucks, brush chippers and skidder buckets are the primary tools in our mechanical control efforts. These machines clear brush and dangerous trees from the right-of-way corridor and are the first step in our IVMP.  Our IVMP is working all year to maintain a reliable electric system with fewer and shorter outages. It’s our goal to keep the lights on at your home or business.

Right of Way Clearing

A right-of-way is a corridor, or pathway, of land that NHEC’s electric lines follow. These rights-of-way provide a safety zone between our wires and trees, buildings, or other objects. When rights-of-way are kept clear they also provide safe access for our line crews to maintain, repair, or improve the lines and poles.

We have a team of arborists and professional staff who work closely with the qualified tree contractors to maintain our rights-of-way and reduce power outages.

In most locations around NHEC service territory, we have the right to clear trees and branches that are 15 feet either side of the pole, ground to sky. Healthy, established trees with enough clearance (15ft) may be pruned; trees without clearance will be removed. In all situations, trees near electric lines should be pruned or removed (not by the homeowner) before they actually touch the lines. It’s important that we have adequate clearance so the trees do not grow back near the lines before the next maintenance cycle.

Service lines from the pole to property

The service lines are the electric wires that run from the utility pole to a home or business. During scheduled vegetation clearing, NHEC tree contractors will remove only those branches that are in direct contact with NHEC service lines, and are causing chafing or mechanical strain on the line. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the service wire by keeping it clear of trees in-between NHEC’s trimming cycle. NHEC will not cut unless there is apparent wear, or hard contact deflecting on the service line causing mechanical strain.

SAFETY NOTE: If you plan to perform tree work around your service line, NHEC will temporarily shut off power so that you can perform the work safely. There is a fee for this service. While performing tree work, stay at least 10 feet way from these energized lines, and do not attempt to cut trees or branches that are in direct contact with the lines.

Clean Up Responsibilities

Brush, branches, and woody debris from cutting along roadsides will be chipped. In all other areas brush will be moved to the edge of the rights-of-way, and windrowed, which are long, low piles that will be slashed or diced down. Roadside woodchips are blown back into the woods where appropriate. Windrows and woodchips are a natural recycling process. Wood/logs will remain on site in an organized manner. We do not remove wood. Stump removal will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Cycle Re Clearing

Our goal is to have a maintenance cycle of every 8 years for our service area. Our contractors work year round on our system. Specifications are 15 ft. each side of the PRIMARY line from the ground to a minimum of 20 ft. overhead clearance from the highest conductor on the pole. This includes all unacceptable vegetation within the corridor. Some right of way widths may be wider depending on the voltages of the line.

What happens after a storm?

In the event of a storm, our tree contractors work with our line crews to remove downed trees so that power can be restored safely and quickly. We do not perform cleanup of any wood and debris from the storm damage to our system. Homeowners are responsible for removing all broken and or damaged trees and limbs including those NHEC removes to expedite the restoration process.

Hazard Tree Program

Hazard trees show indication of imminent failure, and have the potential to damage the distribution system. NHEC has a Hazard Tree Program that identifies trees inside and outside of the 30-foot right-of-way (15 feet on either side of the line), and removes them if they are deemed a threat to fall on power lines. NHEC arborists are qualified in hazard tree evaluation.

Member Notification

Prior to conducting vegetation management work on an individual’s property, NHEC makes every reasonable effort to make contact by mail, or phone. We also make every reasonable effort to identify property owners at locations where there is not a metered service. Contact information will be provided if you have any questions.