Skip to main content
PAY MY BILL
REPORT OUTAGE
START SERVICE
NEED DIRECTIONS?
Home

OUTAGE HOTLINE: 1-866-244-4890

Menu
  • VIEW OUTAGE MAP

  • MY ACCOUNT
    • Pay My Bill
    • Bill Estimator Tool
    • Payment and Billing Options
    • Mobile App
    • Pay•Your•Way: Prepaid Option
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How To Read Your Statement
  • ENERGY SERVICES
    • RESIDENTIAL
      • Establish Service
      • Transfer or Disconnect Service
      • Outdoor Lighting
      • Rates and Fees
      • Solar and Generating My Own Electricity
      • New Member Packet
      • Right-of-Way Clearing
      • AMI Meters
    • COMMERCIAL
      • Establish Service
      • Transfer or Disconnect Service
      • Outdoor Lighting
      • Rates and Fees
      • Load Management
      • Consumer Choice
    • BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS
      • New Construction
  • MEMBER BENEFITS
    • ENERGY CENTER
      • Energy Efficiency
      • Energy Efficient Loan Program
      • Rebates
      • Renewables & Green Power
      • Generac Generator Program
    • CO-OP CONNECTIONS CARD
      • Get Connected
    • FIBER NETWORK
      • Fiber-Optic Network
    • ENERGY TOOLS
      • Energy Resource Center
      • Touchstone Energy Savings
      • Home Energy Calculator
    • GRANTS
      • Operation Round Up
      • Bright Ideas Teacher Grants
    • STUDENTS AND EDUCATION
      • Scholarships
      • Request a Speaker
      • Jr. Solar Sprint
      • Green Power EMC’s Energy Education Program
      • Member Advisory Committee
      • Washington Youth Tour
      • Energy Explorers
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • ABOUT US
      • The Southern Rivers Energy Story
      • The Cooperative Business Model
      • Co-op Leadership
      • Capital Credits
      • Annual Meeting
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
    • NEWS AND RESOURCES
      • Recent News
      • Media Inquiries
      • Awards & Achievements
      • Co-op Bylaws
    • MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
      • Georgia Magazine
      • E-Newsletter Sign-up
      • Current Annual Report
  • STORM CENTER
    • OUTAGE
      • Outage Center
      • Restoration Process
      • Medical Priority
      • Outage FAQ
    • SAFETY
      • Preparation and Safety
      • Power Theft
      • Report a Scam
      • Tree Maintenance
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig

You are here

  1. STORM CENTER
  2. SAFETY
  3. Tree Maintenance

Tree Maintenance

SRE is dedicated to providing our members with safe and reliable electric service. Trees and brush can be conductors of electricity, and trimming is necessary to avoid outages and safety hazards for our crews and the general public.

What determines if a tree will be trimmed or removed?

As part of the ongoing maintenance of our electric distribution system, SRE crews must trim – and in some cases remove – trees and vegetation that can interfere with the power lines on a planned cycle. 

SRE will consider removal of a tree within 15 feet of primary wire (runs along the road). Once SRE is notified of trees growing near service wire (runs into the house), they will be removed if they are endangering the line, dead, trunks are rubbing the wire or if they are in a weakened condition.

SRE will trim the trees back 15 feet on each side from the center of a primary pole. If a tree on your property meets the guidelines for removal, mark it clearly with ribbon, tape or paint and be sure to move any objects that could be struck by the tree when it is cut down. Other circumstances within these guidelines may result in exceptions and will be at the discretion of a SRE representative.

Why would SRE trim trees on my property?

Right-of-way and easement agreements allow SRE to access private property in order to maintain our distribution system. This work helps us access power lines for maintenance and repairs, but it also helps us improve the reliability of your electric service.

Ice can weigh branches down until they are in danger of touching lines. Thunderstorms or heavy rains can cause tree limbs (or a tree itself) to fall on overhead lines, taking out the power to your neighborhood. This can also cause energized lines to fall to the ground, posing a safety hazard to anyone nearby.

What can be done to prevent tree-related outages?

We can’t prevent bad weather, but we can reduce outages caused by falling limbs and trees. Our team works year-round to maintain the right-of-way. How much they trim depends on your tree. If it’s fast-growing, the crews trim branches more than they would for slow-growing trees. Additionally, SRE contracts qualified, independent contractors to apply herbicide mixtures to our right-of-way to prevent regrowth after trees are removed. These efforts allow us to maintain our electric service reliability.

For information about Georgia’s licensing requirements for herbicide application, please visit www.agr.georgia.gov.

How can I make landscaping safer?
  • Before you begin any digging project, call Georgia 811 to have underground utilities marked for free.
  • Don’t plant shrubs or hedges at the base of power poles. It makes it harder for our crews to work on power lines if you have an outage.
  • If you live in a newer neighborhood that has underground power lines, when planting trees or shrubs, maintain 10 feet of clearance from the front of the transformer and three feet on all other sides to allow SRE access. Maintaining clearance also keeps roots from interfering with underground lines running to the transformer.
  • If you’re planning landscaping projects, remember to leave enough room between new plants and overhead power lines. You don’t have to give up your dream of a beautiful, shaded yard. You simply need to choose the right tree for the right place, planning for the mature height of a tree.
  • Never plant trees directly under power lines. Short trees should be planted at least 25 feet away from power lines, while medium-sized trees should be planted at least 40 feet away from power lines. Keep in mind: Branches near power lines can be extremely dangerous.
  • If your yard has trees or branches growing into the power lines, please do not attempt to trim them yourself. Contact us.
What are recommended tree planting guidelines?

Tree Planting Guide2_0.jpg

What if a tree on my property doesn't meet trim guidelines?

A tree that is outside of SRE’s maintenance guidelines will only be cut down, or dropped, if it is dead and endangering power lines.

What if I want to trim a tree that is close to power lines?

Do not go near or touch a tree that is touching a power line. If a tree is too close to a power line, call us to inspect the tree’s clearance. If the tree is outside of SRE’s maintenance guidelines, we’ll create a safe environment for you to trim.

What if you spot an electrical hazard?
  • If you see an electrical hazard, stay clear and call 911.
  • Always assume power lines are energized. Remember, if a power line is touching a tree, the tree itself can be energized. Stay as far back from a fallen line as possible.
  • If you see that your trees or branches are close to your power lines and could pose a threat, notify SRE. Please also call us if you see a tree fall into a power line or if you spot another hazardous condition. If the power line starts an electrical fire, contact your local fire department and stay away from the area.
Back to Top

QUICK LINKS

  • My Account
  • Storm Center
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Legal Info
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

OPERATING HOURS

8 AM - 5 PM
Monday - Friday

CONTACT US

Main Office (770) 358-1383
Toll-Free (877) 358-1383

P.O. Box 40
1367 Highway 341 South
Barnesville, GA 30204

 

GET CONNECTED

OUTAGE HOTLINE

1-866-244-4890

“This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

©2023 Southern Rivers Energy. All Rights Reserved.

  • MY ACCOUNT
    • Pay My Bill
    • Bill Estimator Tool
    • Payment and Billing Options
    • Mobile App
    • Pay•Your•Way: Prepaid Option
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How To Read Your Statement
  • ENERGY SERVICES
    • RESIDENTIAL
      • Establish Service
      • Transfer or Disconnect Service
      • Outdoor Lighting
      • Rates and Fees
      • Solar and Generating My Own Electricity
      • New Member Packet
      • Right-of-Way Clearing
      • AMI Meters
    • COMMERCIAL
      • Establish Service
      • Transfer or Disconnect Service
      • Outdoor Lighting
      • Rates and Fees
      • Load Management
      • Consumer Choice
    • BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS
      • New Construction
  • MEMBER BENEFITS
    • ENERGY CENTER
      • Energy Efficiency
      • Energy Efficient Loan Program
      • Rebates
      • Renewables & Green Power
      • Generac Generator Program
    • CO-OP CONNECTIONS CARD
      • Get Connected
    • FIBER NETWORK
      • Fiber-Optic Network
    • ENERGY TOOLS
      • Energy Resource Center
      • Touchstone Energy Savings
      • Home Energy Calculator
    • GRANTS
      • Operation Round Up
      • Bright Ideas Teacher Grants
    • STUDENTS AND EDUCATION
      • Scholarships
      • Request a Speaker
      • Jr. Solar Sprint
      • Green Power EMC’s Energy Education Program
      • Member Advisory Committee
      • Washington Youth Tour
      • Energy Explorers
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • ABOUT US
      • The Southern Rivers Energy Story
      • The Cooperative Business Model
      • Co-op Leadership
      • Capital Credits
      • Annual Meeting
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
    • NEWS AND RESOURCES
      • Recent News
      • Media Inquiries
      • Awards & Achievements
      • Co-op Bylaws
    • MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
      • Georgia Magazine
      • E-Newsletter Sign-up
      • Current Annual Report
  • STORM CENTER
    • OUTAGE
      • Outage Center
      • Restoration Process
      • Medical Priority
      • Outage FAQ
    • SAFETY
      • Preparation and Safety
      • Power Theft
      • Report a Scam
      • Tree Maintenance
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig