Tree Pruning Guidelines

Maintaining trees is an essential part of safe, efficient, and reliable energy, and it’s included with your SDG&E service. And it’s good for the environment, too.

Leave It to SDG&E

Pruning trees near electrical power lines is dangerous and should be performed by a qualified professional, which is why we use professional contractors trained to prune trees near power lines.

Besides being dangerous, it’s against the law (per California Penal Code 385) to attempt pruning trees near power lines yourself.

How We Prunes Trees

 SDG&E prunes trees to industry and arboricultural standards in accordance with the American National Standards Institute,  International Society of Arboriculture, and the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Benefits of directional pruning techniques

• Trees maintain a natural shape

• Reduction of weak branch re-growth.

• Allows for proper healing of injured trees

• Reduces frequency of pruning

Pruning Clearances

Our contractors trim with the goal of having the pruned trees meet clearance requirements for at least one annual pruning cycle. Clearances established at the time of pruning are based on several factors, including:

• Species

• Growth potential

• Tree position relative to the power lines

• Pruning history

• Local site conditions.

• Potential for tree and wind sway

• Potential for line sag

If you have a question or concern regarding trees near SDG&E facilities, please contact us at 800-411-7343.