Right-of-Way Clearing

Right-of-Way Clearance

Right-of-way is the area around and below the power lines. Natchez Trace Electric clears this area of trees, limbs, and other vegetation to reduce the number of power outages and lower the risk of someone coming into contact with the power lines.

Natchez Trace Electric’s right-of-way crew maintains a distribution system that exceeds 2,000 miles of power line. Numerous pieces of equipment and multiple vehicles are required to successfully remove vegetation.
A full rotation across Natchez Trace Electric’s entire system typically takes several years to complete due to the number of miles of line that require trimming.
Living in the southeastern portion of the United States means that vegetation grows at a fast rate, so keeping our right-of-way clear is a top priority for the cooperative’s management and board.
Natchez Trace Electric trims the right-of-way 20 feet on either side of the pole. Primary lines, main lines that carry the most electric power, are the priority for right-of-way clearing. Natchez Trace Electric trims secondary and services, lines carrying the power to a member’s home, as needed.
Natchez Trace Electric trims vegetation approximately 3 feet away from service lines; however, the cooperative does not trim vegetation overhanging service lines outside of its scheduled trimming cycle unless it is exerting excessive pressure on the services. At their election, the right-of-way crew may trim further than the 3-foot standard if it is going to be a few years before they revisit that location.

Right of Way Clearance infographic. Natchez Trace Electric trims the right-of-way 20 feet on either side of the primary line poles and 3 feet away from secondary and service line poles.

Right-of-Way Requests

To request Natchez Trace EPA remove or trim a tree, fill out our tree release form.

Tree Trimming Request

If a member’s right-of-way clearing request cannot always be addressed at the time of request is made, it will be addressed when our right-of-way crew is in your area.

If a member requests that a tree be cut and the right-of-way crew performs the job, the member will likely have to clean up the tree(s) and limbs, and the member will be required to complete a Liability Form.

Tree Planting Guide

Tree planting illustration showing the size and types of trees to plant near power lines. Text included on the image is found elsewhere on the page.

Small Trees (20 to 30 feet from line): Flowering Dogwood, Japanese Lilac, Kousa, Dogwood, Ornamental Crabapple, Redbud, Stewartia
Medium Trees (30 to 35 feet from line): Bradford Pear, Carolina Silverbell, Golden Raintree, Ornamental Cherry Saucer Magnolia, Serviceberry, Sourwood, Winter King Hawthorne
Large Trees (40 to 45 feet from line): Red Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Lacebark Elm, White Oak, Hemlock, Spruce