NLI: Northern Lights, Inc. > Safety & Education > Request Tree Clearing

Request Tree Clearing

Tree clearing and vegetation management near Northern Lights power lines.

Tree Clearing Assistance Near Power Lines

Northern Lights, Inc. (NLI) may be able to assist members when a tree or
tree limb threatens an NLI power line, pole, transformer, or other electric
facility.

Submit the form below to request an evaluation. An NLI vegetation management
or right-of-way representative will review the information and contact you
to discuss the situation.

Do Not Use This Form for an Emergency

If a tree or limb is touching a power line, has fallen into a line, is
sparking or smoking, or has caused an outage, stay clear and call Northern
Lights immediately.

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.:
800-326-9594

Evenings, weekends, holidays, and outages:
866-665-4837

How Northern Lights May Assist

Each request is evaluated based on the location and condition of the tree,
the electric facilities involved, access to the property, and the potential
risk to people, property, and electric service.

Depending on the circumstances, NLI may:

  • Prune or side-trim branches to provide clearance from electric facilities.
  • Fell or remove a tree that presents a threat to NLI facilities.
  • Temporarily de-energize, lower, or remove conductors so the property owner
    or the owner’s qualified tree contractor can complete the work safely.
  • Determine that the work is the property owner’s responsibility and provide
    guidance about coordinating the work near NLI facilities.

Submitting a request does not guarantee that Northern Lights will trim or
remove a tree. NLI will determine what assistance, if any, is appropriate
after evaluating the situation.

Cleanup and Wood Disposal

Unless Northern Lights agrees otherwise before work begins, the property
owner is responsible for removing and disposing of logs, limbs, brush,
chips, and other debris resulting from member-requested tree work.

Before You Submit a Request

  • Clearly identify the tree or trees with flagging, ribbon, or visible paint
    whenever it is safe to do so.
  • Do not touch, climb, prune, cut, or attempt to fell a tree that is contacting
    or could fall into a power line.
  • Keep people, tools, ladders, vehicles, and equipment well away from overhead
    power lines.
  • Do not allow a tree contractor to begin work near an NLI power line until
    the work has been reviewed and any necessary coordination has occurred.
  • Include photographs with your request when possible. Photos should be taken
    from a safe distance and should show the tree, nearby electric facilities,
    and surrounding structures.
  • Provide clear information about gates, animals, road conditions, seasonal
    access, or other conditions that could affect NLI’s ability to reach the tree.

Submit a Tree Clearing Request Online

Complete the questionnaire below with as much detail as possible. The
information helps NLI determine the type of assistance that may be needed.

After the request is reviewed, an NLI representative will contact you. Routine
requests are evaluated based on safety, system reliability, crew availability,
and the urgency of the condition.

Printable Request Form

Members who cannot use the online form may download and complete the printable
Tree Clearing Questionnaire.


Download the Tree Clearing Questionnaire (PDF) ↗

The completed form may be
emailed or faxed to Northern Lights,
or mailed to:

Attention: Tree Clearing Department
Northern Lights, Inc.
P.O. Box 269
Sagle, ID 83860

Tree clearing assistance is intended to address conditions involving
Northern Lights electric facilities. Routine landscaping, ornamental-tree
maintenance, and cleanup unrelated to NLI facilities remain the property
owner’s responsibility.