Vegetation management is a broad term that describes work Southern California Edison does to minimize trees and vegetation's impact on providing safe and reliable electric service. It includes hazard tree assessments, tree pruning and removal, brush removal, and weed abatement.

It is a matter of public safety and the reliability of the power grid. California regulations require utilities to trim trees or vegetation so they don’t grow into or fall into high-voltage power lines, which could not only cause a power outage but also spark a fire or be a danger to the public.

Hazard trees include dead or dying trees, dead parts of live trees, or unstable live trees within striking distance of lines. Tall trees up to 200 feet from power lines could also pose a hazard because they could possibly fall into lines or blow their branches or leaves into lines.

SCE adopted the California Public Utilities Commission’s 2017 guidelines. In high-fire-risk areas, SCE is trimming 12 feet of clearance (at the time of trim) from a power line to ensure the minimum required clearance is never threatened.

SCE’s vegetation management personnel includes experienced employees who hold various positions, such as certified arborists, utility specialists, and registered professional foresters. SCE’s vegetation contractors are also experienced utility arborists supervised by ISA-certified arborists.

After SCE completes its tree inspection, we will attempt to notify customers via door hangers at least 30 days before any work begins. We will attempt to notify customers again with a second door hanger 24-48 hours before trimming begins. If you have any questions or concerns, the door hanger has contact information for the inspector who did the tree inspection.

Heavy pruning includes cutting into branches, limbs, and/or trunks greater than 7 inches in diameter. It may also require trimming or removing oak trees, conifers, and historical trees. Before removing or cutting any protected or historical trees, special care will be taken. All assessments are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

If significant trimming needs to be done, SCE will attempt to contact the customer in person to determine a pruning plan. The trimming required to meet and maintain the required safe clearance from wires is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the customer has any concerns or objections, they can call the number on the door hanger.

SCE or an approved contractor will attempt to talk to the property owner to explain the tree removal process. SCE or an approved contractor will cut down the tree at no charge to the customer, and the crew will dispose of the tree.

No. All tree trimming and removal are part of SCE’s annual vegetation maintenance work and are at no additional cost to the customer.

Only specially trained tree trimmers can work near power lines. Homeowners who hire their own tree trimmers to prune or remove trees near wires must first notify SCE. This includes work on any tree within 10 feet of SCE lines or trees that could come in contact with wires or equipment if they fall.

Regulations (CPUC GO 95, Rule 35, and CA PRC 4292 and 4293) require utilities to trim trees or vegetation so they don’t grow into or fall into high-voltage power lines, which could not only cause a power outage but could spark a fire or be a danger to the public.