We may be cutting trees in your area to provide safe and reliable electric service.

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POWER LINE CLEARANCE

We spend millions of dollars every year cutting trees away from power lines in the communities we serve so you can continue to receive the safe, reliable electric

service you deserve.

What happens next?

In addition to this notification, we also will attempt

to notify you by phone with a recorded message

before we begin our work.

After trees are pruned, small branches may be fed

through a wood chipper for the crew’s disposal.

Larger branches are cut, stacked and left behind

since they belong to the property owner. In some

areas like hillsides, leaving cut vegetation can

protect against erosion.

Contact us with questions

If you have additional questions or need more

information about our Line Clearance Program,

please contact us by calling 502-589-1444, or

1-800-331-7370 for those outside Louisville.

Deciding How Much To CutTrimming CyclesTree limbs are cut far enough back from power lines so they won’t grow back into the lines before the next scheduled pruning. Our region’s typical trimming cycle is 4-5 years.

Tree LocationTrees near high-voltage power lines must be trimmed more extensively. In cases where trees are especially close to these lines, it may be preferable to remove the trees altogether.

Growth RateFaster-growing trees can grow 15-20 feet in just 4 years and need to be pruned more extensively than those that grow more slowly.

While some tree owners say they prefer topping or shaping trees, this requires numerous cuts between nodes which can weaken the tree. Topping shortens the life of the tree. Our crews use pruning methods designed to protect and promote healthy trees.

Right Tree in the Right PlaceOne way customers can help is by planting

appropriately sized species of trees that are

positioned so they do not come in contact

with power lines. You can find a very helpful

video that explains planting the right tree

in the right place on our website at

lge-ku.com/rsc/lge/tree_trimming.asp

502-589-1444 1-800-331-7370 (outside Louisville)

lge-ku.com

Keeping Power Lines Clear Helps Keep Your Lights OnOur crews prune only the trees that may interfere with power line safety and reliability. Downed trees and limbs that have grown too close to overhead power lines are dangerous. They are also the leading cause of power outages in our area.

We spend millions of dollars every year trimming trees away from power lines in the communities we serve, so you can continue to receive the safe, reliable electric service you deserve.

This guide is designed to answer your questions about the pruning process. We know that trees can add beauty and comfort to your home, and we want to help you preserve that beauty and the aesthetics of your trees. So we employ certified arborists who oversee experienced tree professionals who we contract to perform the work, at no cost to you.

How Do Trees Cause Power Outages?Tree branches don’t have to break to cause

problems. Limbs swaying into power lines can

cause widespread outages or short circuits.

Branches that extend over power lines need to

be removed before high winds, snow or ice cause

them to break and fall, causing a power outage

that could affect an entire neighborhood.

Service Connection Safety and ResponsibilitiesWhen your electricity goes out, getting power restored may require that repairs be made to customer-owned electrical equipment that has been damaged. Some customers aren’t aware which repairs are considered the homeowner’s responsibility and which are the responsibility of the utility.

LG&E installs and maintains:

• the wire carrying electricity from our lines to the masthead on your home or business, and the meter itself

Customers are responsible for:

• the masthead (the vertical pipe-like structure attached to the top of the box that houses your electric meter) and the box which holds the meter

Be sure the service box and the masthead are intact. The pipe should be securely attached to your house, and not separated, bent or pried from your home.

If you find damage to this area, call us and we will send a line technician as soon as possible to make the area safe. Contact a licensed electrician to repair your damaged electrical equipment.

Once your equipment is repaired and the necessary inspections are complete, contact us again to let us know your service has been repaired and inspected. We’ll send a line technician to get your power back on as soon as possible.

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Cutting at nodes

After top trimming

After through trimming

After through trimming

Correct Cuts

Incorrect Cuts

Cutting between nodes

Topping or shaping