Tree Trimming

Each year, BMU staff and contractors trim tree branches to reduce the chances of interference with power lines, which can cause outages and dangerous situations. Ongoing maintenance of the electric system, including tree trimming, contributes both to our excellence in reliability and our culture of prioritizing safety for our employees, customers, and the general public.

If you see a branch hanging near a line, do not risk trimming it yourself. Call BMU at (859) 986-4391. We have the equipment and the knowledge to take care of the situation for you.

Berea Municipal Utilities Tree Trimming and Removal Policies

During Emergency or Hazardous Conditions

Primary, Secondary, and Service Lines – Trees shall be trimmed in order to restore service or eliminate hazardous conditions involving overhead conductors. Trees shall be removed when required to restore service or eliminate hazardous conditions involving overhead conductors. The property owner will be contacted if possible. Brush clean up and disposal will be the responsibility of the customer.

During Routine or Scheduled Cycles

Primary or Secondary Lines – Trees shall be trimmed as required following notification of the property owner. Trees shall be removed based on field inspection, following notification of the property owner and approval of BMU. 

All tree limbs, brush and twigs which can be chipped by the line clearance crew will be removed from the work site. Logs which cannot be chipped will be cut in firewood lengths and left on the site for use by the property owner or others. At the request of the property owner, logs may be removed from the work site. 

Service Lines – Trees shall be trimmed to remove hazardous conditions following notification of the property owner. Trees shall not be removed to clear service lines.

All tree limbs, brush and twigs which can be chipped by the line clearance crew will be removed from the work site. Logs which cannot be chipped shall be cut in firewood lengths and left on the site for use by the property owner or others. At the request of the property owner, logs shall be removed from the work site. 

Special Customer Requests

Primary or Secondary Lines – Non-emergency requests shall normally be deferred until routine cycle trimming is performed. Upon inspection by BMU, adequate clearance will be provided for the customer or contractor who wants to remove a tree. Permission of the property owner is required.

If a tree is topped or trimmed for the convenience of the customer, the debris shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

Service Lines – Non-emergency requests shall be deferred until routine scheduled work is done on the customer’s circuit. Trees will not be topped or removed to clear services during non-routine scheduled work. However, BMU will temporarily turn off services to allow customers or their contractors to remove a tree. A minimum of two working days is required to schedule the temporary shut off. If the scheduled appointment must be canceled due to weather or emergency conditions, BMU will notify the customer or contractor.