Right tree, right place

Vegetation management and tree trimming

How we trim trees

Right tree, right place

Transmission line right-of-way

Integrated vegetation management

Trees have many benefits to our communities. They provide clean air, beneficial shade, habitat for wildlife and beauty. However, when the wrong trees are planted in the right-of-way or near the power lines, they can affect the flow of power.

When you decide to plant a tree, please consider the following:

  • Locate the overhead facilities
    • Do not plant any trees within Entergy’s right-of-way
      • Distribution: 30 feet total
      • Transmission 100 feet total (could be larger near higher voltage lines)
    • Follow the wire from your house to the poles. Do not use the shadow of the wire as a planting guide. Refrain from planting in this area to eliminate outages to your home and future trimming.
  • When deciding on a tree to plant, do your research to find the maximum height and canopy width.
    • Use online resources (Arbor Day, ISA website)
    • Ask a local tree nursery
    • Contact a local certified arborist
    • Read your tree label on tree size at maturity
  • After choosing the tree you want to plant, find the distance from the power lines to give ample room for the tree to grow without interfering with power lines.
    • Refer to the “Right Tree, Right Place” distance guidelines below
    • Request to talk with an Entergy Vegetation operations coordinator for guidance
  • After locating a safe place for planting, make a call to 811 and locate underground facilities for tree planting.
    • When the locate service is complete, check for red paint. This color represents an underground power line.
    • If there is a red line within 10 feet of this planting location, refrain from planting. Entergy requires a 10-foot underground easement. Planting within 10 feet of underground equipment is prohibited.

Check out the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Energy Saving Trees” website for tree giveaways. The site features a tool to determine the best locations for tree planting.

There may be consequences for not following planting guidelines.

Trees planted in the wrong location are subject to:

  • Constant trimming to keep the tree free of energized conductors.
  • Trimming that alters the natural shape of the tree.
  • Removal if they are inside of the transmission or distribution right-of-way easement; if the tree continues to cause outages; if access is needed to restore power; or if trees are planted with 15 feet of our equipment.

Trees that are too close to our power lines and equipment give wildlife opportunities to climb and cause outages to your home.

Planted trees will not reach their full potential due to continuous trimming.

Why is it important to follow our guidelines?

  • Having clear rights-of-way free from vegetation reduces the number of outages/service interruptions.
  • When we minimize the trees we have to maintain, we save money. This keeps our rates low for our customers.
  • When we have an accessible right-of-way, power restoration time is reduced.
  • We want to see healthy trees help make our communities green.
  • Trees too close to power lines create safety issues for the public.