Tree near a power line?
Never attempt to prune or remove a tree near a power line yourself. Contact NorthWestern Energy if you notice a tree touching a power line or believe a tree near a power line needs attention.
Vegetation management and tree trimming
When trees grow too close to power lines, they can cause outages, safety hazards and increase wildfire risk. Proactive tree trimming helps keep your power on and helps protect the communities we serve.
Keeping trees away from power lines
When trees or branches grow too close to power lines, or when roots interfere with underground utility lines, they can cause outages, damage infrastructure, create safety hazards and increase increase wildfire risk. By managing vegetation around utility equipment, we help protect our customers, our communities and the environment.
- We inspect nearly 25,000 miles of overhead power lines annually.
- Trees that are too close to power lines may be pruned or removed to help prevent outages and reduce wildfire risk.
- Vegetation management helps us provide safe, reliable service while protecting our customers and communities.
EMERGENCY?
If you smell natural gas or encounter an electrical hazard, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately. Then contact NorthWestern Energy.
Contact NorthWestern Energy
- Montana: 888-467-2669
- South Dakota/Nebraska: 800-245-6977
Our vegetation management program
Our vegetation management program
NorthWestern Energy hires qualified contractors to keep branches, limbs and trees away from our power lines. These crews establish the necessary clearances while considering each tree's species, size, shape and growth rate.
- We trim trees near our lines on a regular cycle. In most areas, vegetation is pruned every five years to maintain proper clearances from power lines.
- Sometimes a tree must be removed because it poses a hazard to the public or the power system. If a tree needs to be removed, we will work with the property owner to discuss replacement options.
- There is no cost to customers for tree pruning or removal completed as part of our vegetation management program.
- If a tree is removed, wood larger than 6 inches in diameter will be cut into manageable lengths and left for the property owner. Smaller branches and debris are chipped and hauled away.
What to expect
If work is planned near your property, you may receive a visit from a NorthWestern Energy vegetation management coordinator or contractor. The process below outlines what you can expect before, during and after vegetation management work.
Inspect
A certified utility forester evaluates trees near power lines and identifies any pruning or removal work that may be needed.
Notify
If work is needed, we will notify you through a door hanger, phone call and/or an in-person visit.
Prune
A NorthWestern Energy contractor performs the tree work at no cost to customers.
Haul away
Small debris is removed from the property. Wood larger than 6 inches in diameter is left for the property owner.
What our notification looks like
What our notification looks like
If tree work is planned near your property, we'll make every effort to notify you in advance. This example shows the door hanger NorthWestern Energy may use to communicate upcoming tree pruning or removal work near your property, including details about the work being performed and contact information if you have questions.
Why and how we manage trees
Trees and other vegetation that grow too close to power lines can impact safety and reliability. Learn why vegetation management is necessary, how trees are selected for work and who performs the trimming.
Why is NorthWestern Energy trimming my tree?
Your tree is being trimmed because it is located on a distribution circuit that was identified through outage data analysis or on a circuit located in an area identified as having an elevated wildfire risk. Vegetation management helps reduce the risk of power outages, equipment damage and wildfire-related impacts while maintaining safe and reliable electric service.
Why was my tree selected for trimming?
Your tree was inspected by one of our certified arborists and identified as being too close to NorthWestern Energy's overhead power lines. To help maintain safe and reliable service, we work to maintain appropriate clearance between trees and electrical facilities. Ideally, we maintain approximately 12 feet of clearance between trees or branches and our facilities.
Can NorthWestern Energy trim trees without permission?
Yes. Under Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 69-4-103, NorthWestern Energy is authorized to manage vegetation near power lines when necessary to maintain safe and reliable electric service. This work helps reduce safety hazards, service interruptions and wildfire-related risks.
Why does NorthWestern Energy use contractors for tree work?
NorthWestern Energy uses professional Utility Line Clearance contractors to perform tree trimming and removal work on our transmission and distribution systems. These crews are specially trained to work safely around energized electrical equipment and are certified members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
What to expect before tree work begins
Have questions about notifications, tree markings or who is responsible for trimming? Find answers about the planning process and what to expect before work takes place in your area.
How will I know if tree work is planned in my area?
Keeping customers informed is important to us. Before vegetation management work is performed, we make every effort to provide advance notice. Depending on the location and scope of the work, notification may include phone calls, mailed notices, door tags or in-person visits.
Why is my tree marked with ribbon or paint?
Trees may be marked to identify planned removal work. Ribbon is typically used to identify trees approved for removal after customer permission and a signed authorization have been obtained. Spray paint generally indicates that removal authorization has been received and the work has been scheduled. If a tree is removed as part of NorthWestern Energy's vegetation management program, there is no cost to the customer.
Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines?
NorthWestern Energy is responsible for pruning and removing trees that impact the overhead electric lines running pole to pole on the distribution system. Property owners are responsible for trees that impact the service line, which runs from the utility pole to a home or business. To help customers complete this work safely, NorthWestern Energy offers a free disconnect and reconnect service so that the tree service hired can do the work safely and without obstruction. To schedule this service, call 888-467-2669 at least three business days before the work is planned.
What happens after tree work is completed
Learn what happens to branches and debris after trimming or removal work, including how cleanup is handled and what materials may be left behind.
What happens to branches and debris after trimming?
In most cases, branches and debris created during pruning or tree removal are processed through a woodchipper and removed from the property. If the material is too large to be chipped, it may be cut into firewood-length sections and left for the customer to keep, use or give away.
Call 811 Before You Dig
No project is too small. If it requires a shovel, call 811 or visit call811.com at least two full business days before you begin your project.