Tree Trimming Practices
To provide you with consistent, reliable electrical service – rain or shine – JEA studies tree growth in Jacksonville. Our tree maintenance procedures are performed by professional trimming contractors using proper arboricultural methods that are best for the long-term health of the tree.
Proudly Following National Tree Care Guidelines
JEA degreed foresters and certified arborists follow strict national guidelines with a goal of balancing tree health with safety and electric reliability. Our crews also receive extra training on how to maintain sensitive tree canopies when working in Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods. These efforts have been recognized by our designation as a Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation every year since 2011.
We schedule routine cycle trimming every two-and-a-half years. This includes targeting new growth approaching JEA lines, which is commonly found atop most utility poles. We also maintain records on the number of outages along circuits and compare that information to our trimming schedule.
A 10-foot clearance is maintained around 26,000-, 13,200- and 4,000-volt primary lines and hazardous branches are removed when necessary. In some cases, we will remove a hazardous tree that interferes with power lines.
Tree Trimming Today Prevents Power Outages Tomorrow
JEA tree trimming work ensures our facilities, electric systems, and the community are prepared for whatever Mother Nature sends our way. We know that tree trimming today helps us deliver reliable electricity tomorrow.
JEA will notify you in advance of any tree removals near your home or business so that you can contact one of our certified foresters or arborists with any questions or concerns.
If you have any concerns about trees near power lines, please contact the JEA Tree Care Team at (904) 665-6050 or jeatreecare@jea.com.
Free Mulch
As a service to the community, we offer the chips from the trimmings as mulch to our customers. Please call ahead to schedule a mulch delivery.
Contact our certified arborists and professional foresters about JEA's tree trimming procedures:
Tree Trimming Methods
V-Cut Trimming: The center branches are removed to allow the power line to pass above and through.
Side Trimming: The tree growth is steered away from the power line by removing branches on just one side.
Crown Reduction: When neither of the first two methods above will work, trimming the tree from its top may be an option.
We also use Directional Pruning when possible. This “trains” trees to grow away from power lines by using:
- Reduction cuts (above left) to shorten the length of a stem by pruning back to a smaller limb.
- Removal cuts (above right) to prune a branch back to the trunk or parent branch.
- Prudent pruning practices may result in clearances that are not exactly 10 feet.
Distribution Lines: You can easily identify primary and secondary distributions lines with this illustration. Anything below the primary and secondary lines are CATV/phone lines.