Tree Trimming
We love our trees in McMinnville. We also love the quality of life electricity has given us. Trees and power lines often come into conflict, usually because the incorrect species of tree was planted directly below or near overhead lines.
McMinnville Water & Light offers some advice for selecting, planting, pruning and maintaining trees on your property. MW&L has an extensive tree-trimming program. MW&L's program was developed to maximize public safety, electric reliability and tree health.
Please call us at (503) 472-6158 if you have any questions about trees that are located near utility lines.
Working together, we can maintain safety, keep McMinnville beautiful and significantly reduce power outages.
Let us do the work!
Never trim trees near your power lines. Trees that are near electrical lines need to be trimmed by McMinnville Water and Light's tree trimming contractor. Call us at (503) 472-6158 or fill out this form if you have any questions about tree trimming or trees near the power lines.
Choose The Right Tree
There are many options available that give choices of spring and fall color, tree size and shape, and fruit. Trees that are planted near power lines need to be chosen so that at maturity their height is 25 feet or less. Your local nursery can help in selecting the right variety for your needs. The City of McMinnville recommends and prohibits the following trees:
Plant Trees Safely
McMinnville Water and Light works hard to provide you with reliable electric service. You as members of the community can help your local utility by following a few simple guidelines when managing trees on your property.
Plant In The Right Place
Avoid planting trees directly under power lines. When planting trees within 30 feet of power lines select trees as mentioned above that do not grow more than 25 feet in height. Trees that grow more than 25 feet in height need to be planted more than 30 feet from power lines.
Right Of Way
Before planting any trees in the public right of way contact the appropriate agency.
- Call Before You Dig: 811 (callbeforeyoudig.org)
- City of McMinnville: 503-434-7311
- Yamhill County: 503-434-7515
Tree Trimming Schedule
Trees can interfere with power lines, causing outages or creating other hazards. To help ensure safety and reliability for our customers, McMinnville Water and Light has an extensive tree trimming program that includes a full time tree crew that works year-round to trim trees around our lines. Most areas are on a 3-year trim cycle.
In Spring, McMinnville Water and Light will have a contracted tree trimming crew (Associated Arborists) working in the following areas: NW side of town. The crew will be cutting and pruning trees located in and along rights of way.
For more information, contact us at (503) 472-6158.