MVEC maintains a comprehensive tree-clearing and vegetation management program to help ensure safe and reliable service across our service area. Our crews regularly inspect trees for two key reasons:
- To protect the safety of our members and the public
- To prevent outages caused by trees interfering with power lines
Our focus is on primary power lines—especially those that have caused outages or have the potential to do so.
If you believe a tree or vegetation on your property is interfering with MVEC power lines, please complete the form below. To help us respond efficiently, include a clear and detailed description of the issue.
Please note: Homeowners are responsible for maintaining secondary power lines after the meter. MVEC offers complimentary de-energization of these lines to support safe repairs or professional tree trimming. To schedule this service during regular business hours, please contact MVEC Dispatch at (952) 492-8255 or (800) 232-2328 at least 48 hours in advance.
2025 notice of right-of-way trimming
Each year, MVEC trims trees across our 968-square-mile service area to help prevent power outages and keep the public and our crews safe.
In 2025, we’ll be working in the St. Thomas, Assumption, St. Lawrence, New Market, Merriam, and Victoria substation areas. You may see MVEC or Carr’s Tree Service crews performing this work.
Our Right-of-Way maintenance program reduces fire risks, prevents tree-to-line contact that can cause brief “blinks,” and helps minimize extended outages during storms or high winds.
Clearance is needed
MVEC has the right to trim or remove trees and spray brush growing within the right-of-way corridor (usually a roadway ditch). This is the zone around power poles and lines.
Right-of-way corridors will be:
- At least 15 feet for single-phase distribution lines on either side of the pole center.
- At least 20 feet for multi-phase distribution lines on either side of the pole center.
- This allows for a five-year trim cycle with a three-foot average growth rate per year.
- Other options are available on a case-by-case basis. This Alternative Maintenance Proposal form must be filled out and on file with MVEC before proceeding.
Tree removal guidelines
Fast-growing, tall trees (such as elms, willows, and silver maples) located directly under primary wires can cause repeated outages. To prevent repeat outages and keep the cost of our services down, we prefer to remove these trees rather than frequently prune them. A representative of MVEC will notify the property owner before removing a tree.
Planting trees? Before you dig, check out The Right Tree, a helpful guide from Tree Trust that covers smart tree selection and best practices for planting near power lines.
Carr’s – Our subsidiary tree service
If you have trees on your property that need trimming or removal, you can count on MVEC’s subsidiary, Carr’s Tree Service to do the job. Carr’s provides FREE estimates for your home or business for tree shaping, tree trimming, tree removal, lot clearing, brush mowing, aerial bucket services, and power stump removal.
Carr’s Tree Service also offers plant health care services, including trunk injections to protect:
- ash trees against Emerald Ash Borer
- oak trees from burr oak blight, insect problems, mitigate oak wilt problems
- elm trees against Dutch Elm Disease
Contact Carr’s Tree Service at 888-470-3355 or
visit their website
MVEC contractors will clean up brush from a related trimming; however, this does not include additional dead/diseased trees, brush/wood from a member’s property, or debris from a storm or emergency trimming. Members may contact their city or county to inquire about assistance programs.