In East Texas, we are surrounded by tall pine trees that are a defining part of our landscape. While these trees provide beauty, shade, and environmental benefits, they can also pose significant challenges to the electric system. Tree trimming is an important part of Upshur-Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation’s commitment to providing safe, reliable electric service to our Members. When vegetation is not properly maintained, trees and power lines can become a dangerous combination, increasing the risk of outages, equipment damage, and safety hazards.
Recognizing the impact that vegetation can have on system reliability, the URECC Board of Directors approved over $5 million for right-of-way vegetation management in 2026. In 2025, after seeing an increase in outages caused by downed trees and limbs, the Board reprioritized the budget and invested approximately $1 million in additional vegetation management efforts. That investment has already produced positive results, helping reduce tree-related outages and improve system reliability across the cooperative’s service territory.
While it is impossible to eliminate every tree-related outage, doing so would require significantly higher vegetation management costs that would ultimately be borne by the Membership. As a Member-owned cooperative, URECC must balance reliability, safety, environmental stewardship, and affordability. By focusing our trimming efforts where they provide the greatest benefit, we can reduce outages, improve safety, and continue providing affordable electric service to all Members.
Trees are one of the leading causes of power outages, especially during severe weather. When trees are not properly trimmed, branches can grow into power lines or break off during high winds, ice storms, and heavy rain, causing service interruptions and damage to electrical equipment. Contact between trees and energized lines can also create serious safety hazards, as trees and branches may become electrically charged and pose a danger to anyone nearby. In addition, vegetation contacting power lines can create sparks, increasing the risk of fire during dry conditions. Overgrown or weakened trees can also fall onto homes, vehicles, roadways, and utility infrastructure, causing property damage and creating dangerous situations. By proactively trimming trees and maintaining safe clearances around power lines, URECC helps improve system reliability, enhance public safety, and reduce restoration times following storms.
A right-of-way is the area we must access to maintain equipment. This area is cleared so we can safely maneuver equipment to maintain lines.
Types Of Lines:
Distribution Lines: These power lines carry electricity from substations directly to end users, including homes and businesses. As the last step in the electrical delivery system, they distribute power at lower voltage levels than transmission lines.
Primary and Secondary Lines: These high-voltage power lines transport electricity from substations to neighborhoods, serving as a critical link between the transmission system and local distribution networks.
Communication Lines: Located below the power lines, these communication cables support phone, internet, and cable television services and are owned and maintained by their respective providers.
Service Drop Lines: These service lines run from the utility pole to a home or business, providing the final connection for electric service. While the utility supplies the electricity, Members are responsible for maintaining the lines. A temporary disconnect can be requested before performing work near them.
Transmission Lines: These transmission lines operate at the highest voltage levels in the electrical grid, moving large quantities of electricity over long distances from power generation facilities to substations serving communities.
Transmission Lines:
URECC is responsible for maintaining clear transmission rights-of-way by removing vegetation from ground to sky within a minimum of 15 feet on either side of the transmission line. To facilitate ongoing maintenance activities, all stumps must be cut at or below ground level.
Distribution Lines:
-Distribution Power Lines
-Connection to po
-Transformer
-Service Pole
-Meter
-Pad-mounted Transformer
-Tree trimming around the service line
-Service line (from the pole to the home or building)
-Weatherhead
-Service mast
-Meter Loop
-Conduit
-Main service disconnect
-Meter base
-Ground Rod
One of the best ways to avoid future tree-trimming concerns is to plant the right tree in the right place. URECC encourages Members to consider a tree’s mature height before planting near power lines. Trees should not be planted directly beneath overhead lines. Small trees should be planted at least 25 feet away from power lines, medium-sized trees at least 40 feet away, and large trees at least 60 feet away. Planning ahead can help reduce safety hazards, minimize future maintenance, and improve the reliability of electric service for years to come.
URECC provides updates on planned vegetation management activities through the Member Notice section of your electric bill and in the monthly Member newsletter. These communications identify the areas where contractors will be working during the month.
To help Members recognize authorized crews, contractor vehicles are clearly marked with the company’s logo and a URECC contractor sticker, showing they are performing work for the cooperative.
For questions or to report vegetation concerns near power lines, contact our Member Services team at 903-843-2536.
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