Hazardous Trees

Union Power's Hazard Tree program focuses on removing hazardous trees from outside the right-of-way that has the potential to cause outages if they fall onto our system.

Each year, the Cooperative removes hazardous trees across the system but still experiences some outages due to dead or dying trees falling on to the lines. In our area, the pine tree is the biggest concern. Browning needles beginning at the tips and moving inward, shedding of bark and bark beetles are problem signs for these pine trees. As the bark sheds, it will very likely spread to surrounding trees. The drought compounded with a mild winter stresses the trees where they cannot defend themselves against these beetles. You, our members, can help identify these hazardous trees when you first see signs of browning needles. Reporting these trees and removing them before they are fully dead can help ensure safety for you and our workers as well as maintain power reliability. There is no cost to you, the member, to have them cut down; however, removal of debris is your responsibility.

Please call Union Power at 704-289-3145 and speak to one of our certified arborists, Wil Ortiz (ext. 3323) or Carrie Lorenz-Efird (ext. 3291), if you see a hazard tree near power lines.