A right of way (ROW) refers to a strip of land underneath or around power lines that your electric cooperative has the right and responsibility to maintain and clear. Trees must grow at a distance far enough from conductors where they will not cause harm to individuals or disruption to electrical service. Specifications can vary, but a general guideline of maintaining a safe ROW is 15 feet of clearance on either side of the primary conductors and 20 feet of overhead clearance above the highest wire on the pole.

Clearing the ROW is critical to keeping your lights on. An average of 15 percent of power interruptions occur when trees, shrubs or bushes grow too close to power lines.

Contact your cooperative if you decide to trim or remove trees near any power service or line. And never trim a tree in the right-of-way zone on your own.