Utility Right-of-Way Tree Trimming in Dawsonville, GA

1What a right-of-way is

A right-of-way is the strip of land a utility uses to build, operate and maintain its lines, usually under an easement. Amicalola EMC describes it as the land a co-op uses to construct and maintain its system and says it strives to keep its lines clear within those areas. Easement terms vary by property and utility, and they decide what a crew may cut.

Georgia Power says the easement agreements it obtains before building a transmission line typically include the right of ingress and egress to and from the right-of-way, and that it has a right to enter and leave private property to maintain its facilities.

2Notice and who is on your property

Georgia Power says it tries to notify property owners in person before work is done, and if no one is home, leaves a door hanger with the projected pruning date and a contact number. Its vegetation management land agents do not drive company vehicles but should display Georgia Power Contractor vehicle magnets and wear a Georgia Power Contractor ID badge. Ask to see the badge.

Georgia Power describes a separate vegetation management easement program as voluntary: owners can elect to grant additional tree trimming rights to improve reliability on a distribution circuit.

3How trees are pruned and what is left

Georgia Power says trees are pruned or removed by professional tree contractors working on its behalf, to ANSI and ISA standards. Debris from routine trimming may not be removed on the day of the trimming but will be removed as soon as possible; that does not apply to storm debris. Stump shavings are leveled over the stump area and left to decay. If access through a fence is needed, the contractor and Georgia Power work with the owner on a solution.

For damage during trimming, Georgia Power says the contractor performing the work is responsible for repairs, and damage can be reported to the land agent who worked with the owner. Planned outages for tree work are rare and announced in advance.

4A short checklist

Confirm whether the property is inside the City of Dawsonville or in unincorporated Dawson County. Note how much ground the work will disturb and how close it comes to any creek, stream, pond or the lake. Check the subdivision's first plat date if the lot is in one. Look for power lines above the trees and call the utility on your bill if any tree is near them. Call Georgia 811 before any stump grinding or digging. Decide whether wood and brush will be chipped, hauled or burned, and check the burn permit rules if burning. Get written quotes that list the trees, the stumps, the debris and any permits. Ask for proof of insurance. Photograph the site before and after the work, and keep every permit, receipt and approval together.

5Keep a record

Start a single folder, paper or digital, for the job. Put in it the photos, the quotes, any permit or encroachment approval, the utility's reference number if you reported an outage, the insurer's claim number and the names of everyone you dealt with. Note dates. After the work, add the final invoice and photos of the finished site. A record like this helps with an insurance claim, with a question from the county or city, and with a buyer years from now who asks why a tree is gone or where a stump was ground.

6When a tree is near your service line

The wire from the utility pole to your house, often called the service drop, is still part of the electric system, and a limb resting on it can be dangerous. Do not try to clear it yourself. Ask the utility on your bill whether it will trim or temporarily disconnect the line so a private crew can work safely, and whether there is a lead time to schedule it. Tell any tree service you contact that the job involves a service line so they can plan for it. After the work, look over the service mast and meter base for damage, and report anything bent or pulled loose to the utility.

7Prepare for the next storm

Walk the property after leaf drop, when the structure of each tree is easiest to see, and note trees with dead tops, large dead limbs, cracks, cavities, mushrooms at the base or a new lean. Look up for limbs hanging over the roof, the driveway and the service line to the house. Keep the utility's outage numbers, your insurer's claim line and your policy number where you can reach them without power. Photograph your house and yard now so you have a record of how things looked before a storm. If a tree worries you, have it looked at in calm weather, when scheduling is easier and there is time to compare quotes.

8City streets and private crews

Inside the City of Dawsonville, a private tree crew working on a city right-of-way needs an encroachment permit. The city's form requires 48 hours' notice to the city at (706)265-3256 before work begins and includes an indemnification clause specifically covering damage from cutting or removing trees on the right-of-way. See the city page. Near energized lines, private crews should coordinate with the utility first; see the power line guide.