Vegetation management
Trees are a natural part of our urban and rural landscapes. They offer shade, improve air quality and support biodiversity. But when they come into contact with power lines, especially during severe weather, they’re also one of the leading causes of outages, fires and equipment damage.
To protect your safety and maintain the reliability of the grid, we run a vegetation management program that includes trimming more than 60,000 trees annually. Our professional forestry inspectors use satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and infrared technology to regularly monitor vegetation near our infrastructure. This data-driven approach allows us to move from reactive emergency repairs to proactive, risk-based maintenance, ensuring we target only the areas that pose the greatest threat to service reliability.
Tree trimming
Keeping our community safe and powered is a shared responsibility. While we manage the main power lines running along the street, you are responsible for keeping trees and vegetation clear of the service wires on your own property. Service wires are the smaller wires that run from the main hydro pole to your home or business.
Our standard is to maintain a clearance of at least three metres (10 feet) around our main overhead power lines. This ensures there is a safe distance, even when branches sway in the wind or are weighed down by snow and ice.
Infrastructure (area) | Responsible party | Clearance (action required) |
|---|---|---|
Primary power line | Hydro Ottawa | We monitor and trim trees that are directly in contact with a primary line or within three metres (10 feet) of it. |
Service wire | Customer | You are responsible for trimming vegetation around your service wire. |
Safety zone | Customer / Hydro Ottawa | Never attempt to trim a tree within three metres (10 feet) of any power line. If you need to trim around your service wire and require closer access, you must contact us to arrange a temporary planned outage to ensure a safe working environment for you or your licensed contractor. |
if there is a safety issue (for example, a tree dangerously close to a primary power line) or need to request a temporary outage for safe trimming or notice any forestry issues that do not require an isolation of service (temporary power disconnection), submit a non-electrical service request or call us immediately at (613) 738-6400.
For detailed clearance distances and trimming standards by tree species, download our guide or see our FAQs page.
Tree planting
When planting a tree on your property, thoughtful planning is key to preventing future safety risks and service disruptions.
Before you dig, contact Ontario One Call to have all underground utilities (including electrical, gas and water lines) located and marked. It's free and helps prevent dangerous accidents.
When selecting a planting spot, consider the tree’s full height and spread at maturity, not its size today.
By planting the right tree in the right location, you help preserve your tree’s health, reduce trimming costs and ensure a reliable power supply for your community.
Mature tree height | Safe planting distance |
|---|---|
Low-growing | Plant at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) away from hydro poles. |
Medium-growing | Plant at a distance equal to its full mature height away from the power line. |
Tall-growing | Only plant in areas where there are no overhead restrictions. |
Planting near underground infrastructure
Many crucial services are buried underground or stored inside other equipment. To plant safely, follow these mandatory clearances:
Underground cables:
Maintain at least 1.5 metres (five feet) between the tree’s root ball and any marked underground cables. If you must dig closer than 1.5 metres, you are required to dig by hand.
Pad-mounted transformers:
These are the green metal boxes often found in neighbourhoods. For crew safety and access, you must maintain:
- Three metres (10 feet) of clear space in front of the equipment doors
- 1.5 metres (five feet) of clearance on all other sides
Questions?
Download our brochure or see our FAQs page for more guidance on how to plant trees safely.
