Trees and Plants

Power Lines and Dominion's Forestry Efforts

During an ice storm, a hurricane the strength of Isabel, or just an afternoon thunderstorm, one of the most challenging situations we face is the threat of trees or limbs falling on a power line. A downed line is dangerous and can disrupt power to thousands of customers.

The great 2003 Northeast blackout, caused by transmission lines hitting trees, taught our industry that we must be even more diligent about keeping our rights-of-way clear. And it’s a full-time job. Prior to any trimming or cutting efforts, our forestry team, including certified arborists, carefully assesses the area to determine the best course of action.

As a power company, our first responsibilities must be to your safety and to reliable power for our customers. With the Northeast blackout as a painful reminder, we want to make sure this never happens in Virginia.

Vegetation Management Guidelines for Customers

Tree Trimming

Many trees need periodic trimming to maintain their health and appearance. The job can be a bit dangerous to start with, but power lines add another level of risk.

Make sure that the tree does not have any power lines in or near it. If it does, contact Dominion at 1-888-667-3000. Never climb in or prune trees through which power lines or service lines pass. Cutting tree limbs near power lines is dangerous without the proper equipment and training. And don't let your kids play in such trees either.

When you are doing landscaping, never plant trees or shrubs that will grow taller than 10 feet under power lines. Not only will it be safer, it will avoid the outages that can occur if trees or tree limbs are blown onto power lines.

Shrubs/Trees on Transmission Rights-of-Way

Prior written approval must be obtained on all encroachments (i.e. trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, roads, drainfields, etc.) on transmission rights-of-way. Without approval shrubs, trees, etc. are subject to removal by Dominion. Without approval and depending on the encroachment, the property owner may be required to remove the encroachment at property owner's expense. For information on the transmission encroachment request process, contact the Transmission Coordinator Rights-of-Way at 1-800-808-5884. Read about our program to manage vegetation along rights-of-way.

View the encroachment request checklist (Adobe PDF document)

Open right-of-way areas beneath large transmission lines can be made interesting and attractive through landscaping with shrubs and small trees. However, there are restrictions on placement and height. Below are some suggested species to assist in the landscaping planning process. Remember to include a sketch or drawing with as many specific details as possible about the proposed landscaping and other proposed encroachments in the encroachment request packet submitted.

Ornamental Species Approved For Planting On Electric Transmission Rights-of-way

Deciduous Species

Maries Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum Plicatum Var. Tomentosum ‘Mariesii”)
American Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum Trilobum)
Fragrant Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum Carlesi)
Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire (Itea Virginica)
Redleaf Barberry (Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea )
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii)
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus Sericea)
Yellow Twig Dogwood (Cornus Flaviramea)
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus)
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia)
Mockorange (Philadephus Virginalis)
Vanhoutte Spirea (Spirea X Vanhouttei)
Weigela (Weigela Florida)
Winterberry Holly (Ilex Verticillata)
Common Purple Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris)

Evergreen Species

Thorny Eleagnus (Eleagnus Pungens)
Glossy Abelia (Abelia Grandiflora)
Yaupon Holly (Ilex Vomitoria)--not hardy in North/Western regions
Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum Rhytidophyllum)
Osmanthus (Osmanthus Heterophyllus)
Nandina (Nandina Domestica)
Northern Bayberry (Myrica Pensylvanica)
Prague Viburnum (Viburnum X Pragense)
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja Occidentalis “Emerald”)