We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

We're experiencing intermittent issues with customers checking and reporting outages. We're sorry for any inconvenience & ask that you try again if you receive an error message the first time.

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As of: 8:13 AM, 10/12/24

Trees and Power Lines

Trimming and removing select trees from areas surrounding power lines helps us provide safe, reliable electric service to communities throughout Michigan.

Tree Trimming and You


What to Do if a Power Line is Down


Safety Facts about Trees and Power Lines


  • Always assume a power line is energized and dangerous.

  • Power lines are not insulated; if you touch one you will be severely injured or even killed.

  • Don’t cut down trees or branches near power lines. Leave that to our crews.

  • Don’t allow children to climb in trees near power lines.

  • When removing objects from a tree, stay clear of power lines.

  • Never let your ladder touch a power line.

How We Manage Trees for Safety and Reliability


Careful Trimming Guidelines for Fewer Outages

Our expert Tree Management Team follows established forestry guidelines to ensure trees don’t interrupt your service. We use qualified line-clearance contractors to safely clear trees and vegetation that could interfere with our power lines.

Tree Clearance Standards for Increased Safety

Clearance standards vary based on the voltage of nearby electric lines. The decision to trim or cut trees depends on tree species, location, and health. Some trees in or close to the utility right-of-way easement will need to be cut to ensure safe and reliable service.

What to Expect with Planned Tree Maintenance


A Forestry Planner marks trees or brush that need maintenance.

  • Trees may be marked well in advance of planned tree maintenance.
  • Trees to be trimmed are marked with a blue dot.
  • Trees to be cut down are marked with a blue X. If outside the easement they will be marked with a blue A.
  • Brush to be cleared may be marked with a blue slash ( / ).
  • Secondary voltage conductors and services are cleared of any tree limbs displacing or rubbing on these conductors and will be marked.

You may get two to three notifications before tree maintenance is done in your area.

  • You will receive a postcard when our Forestry team member will be inspecting lines for tree work on our maintenance program to inform you, they will be marking trees and brush.
  • You may receive communication on tree work planned on your property with our Forestry Team member’s contact information to discuss the work.
  • You will receive a letter no more than 90 days before our tree crews start work with the contractor’s name performing the work and contact information for our Forestry Team for communicating any concerns.

Who is Responsible for Clean Up?


Here is what we will clean up after planned maintenance tree work:


In lawn areas

The wood will be left for your use. We cut the wood into lengths for ease of handling. Brush will be chipped and removed from landscaped areas.

In wooded areas

Brush is either piled (which creates good habitat for wildlife and suppresses future tree growth) or is mulched and scattered within the easement right-of-way (a portion of your land that may be considered public). Any wood will be left for your use.

If trees are cut down

Stumps are cut as close to the ground as possible and treated with a herbicide to prevent regrowth.

When you, as the property owner, are responsible for clean up:


Other Ways We Manage Vegetation


Frequently Asked Questions


PLEASE NOTE: The information on this page refers only to trees and vegetation around low voltage distribution wires, ranging from 240V to 14.4kV. None of this information refers to high voltage lines.