Customer Service > Outage & Safety > Line Clearance > Policies

Routine TrimmingPolicy

During normal routine trimming, our line clearance contractors remove and/or chip tree limbs and the debris from the property owner's trees (less than 4 inches in diameter), but leave the logs (greater than 4 inches in diameter) stacked at the base of the tree from which they came. These are cut to handling length and left for the property owner's use.

Emergency Trimming Policy

When tree debris is caused by a storm, we do not remove it. 

Our crews must work quickly to restore power to all of our customers. Our crews cut broken and uprooted trees so we can reach the area to make repairs to our lines.  Brush and wood are left at the property so that we can proceed with our restoration work.

In these emergency situations, your community's public works department, private trash collectors or a professional tree-removal service can lend assistance and advice regarding the disposal of brush and other debris.

The Service Drop

It is the responsibility of the property owner to keep the service drop—the wires that run from the pole to the house—clear of trees. We recommend hiring a professional tree service to do this trimming.

DP&L will assist the tree trimmer by de-energizing the service drop so that work can be performed safely. There is no charge for this de-energizing service.

Customers can call DP&L's Construction Control Center (937-331-4860) a few days in advance of the work to schedule an appointment.

Underground Lines

In neighborhoods where power lines are located underground, transformers and other above-ground equipment are used to connect and regulate underground service. These facilities require periodic maintenance and access to restore service during outages.

A 10-foot clearance is required from the front of the equipment and a 3-foot clearance is needed around the back and the sides. Please plan your landscaping with these clearances in mind. Be sure to consider how much the landscaping will spread as it matures. We must trim or remove vegetation or structures that encroach on these clearances.