Questions and answers

Why do you have to trim so much?

We trim to get enough separation between trees and power lines to maintain reliable electric service. Getting adequate separation lengthens time between trimming, which keeps energy costs lower.

Why did Asplundh crews tell me that trimming was needed but no work was done?

Look closely at your trees -– there is a very good chance that your trees were trimmed. The pruning technique is very selective, and you may not be able to see it from a distance — or even from right under the tree.

What should I do about dead branches above my service wire?

We recommend that these branches be removed from your tree. Please call us at 800-242-9137, and we will determine if we need to temporarily remove the service wire while you trim your tree.

Do you need to remove my trees that tower over the power lines?

Probably not. Removal is rare and used only for trees that grow too fast to keep separation from primary lines. Typically, we only need to trim enough to maintain separation around the primary wires.

Can you trim a neighbor’s tree that might damage property or cause an outage?

Not without your neighbor’s approval. Please ask your neighbor to contact us, and we will determine the best course of action.

Why do you send a forester to evaluate before sending a crew to trim?

We assess each situation first and discuss options to assist you. If we find that we need to perform some work, we schedule a crew with the right equipment for the job.

Why was my tree trimmed but not my neighbors?

Each situation requires a separate approach. Our foresters are professionals with many years of experience on tree care and how trees impact power lines. They devise the best solution by considering type of electric facilities, tree proximity to power lines, tree type and growth rate.

How much will it cost to cut my tree?

Nothing -- if we determine it is a threat to the safety or reliability of our electric distribution system. For trees that you choose to cut, we recommend that you contact a professional arborist for an estimate. Visit the Wisconsin Certified Arborist Directory at the Wisconsin Arborist Association’s Web site.

Why doesn’t We Energies bury all the lines?

Underground line installation is more costly than overhead lines when extending new facilities. This is even more costly to do as replacement of existing facilities. We Energies evaluates the cost of all our construction projects to make sure that our rates remain as low as possible so that it minimizes the impact on your bill.

Will you trim a tree that is close to power lines where kids in the neighborhood have been climbing?

Kids climbing trees close to power lines is a serious safety risk. We treat any reports of this as an emergency and send an employee to investigate. If needed, we remove all low-hanging branches or trim the tree away from the lines.

How close can I build a tree house to the power lines?

Never build a tree house in a tree close to power lines, climb a tree close to power lines, or touch them or allow any of your tools to touch them. Please call us when you are planning any projects that would place you, your tools or permanent structures close to power lines. We will work with you to determine if we need to disconnect the power lines until you complete your work, or reroute them permanently to eliminate conflicts with permanent structures.

Why does American Transmission Co.'s tree trimming look different from We Energies tree work?

Vegetation has a much greater impact to transmission lines because of the higher voltage. Transmission line power outages affect more customers. While an outage in the We Energies distribution system can affect a neighborhood, an outage in the transmission system can affect entire cities or regions. Consequently, federal regulation are more stringent for tree trimming near transmission lines. Visit American Transmission Co.'s website for additional trimming information.