SYNERGY NORTH’s Vegetation Management Plan is about more than cutting back trees, it’s about investing in a stronger, more resilient system for everyone. By being proactive today, we’re reducing outages, protecting our workers, and keeping communities safe well into the future.

Trees are an integral part of our neighbourhoods, but when branches grow too close to power lines, they can become a serious hazard. For SYNERGY NORTH, managing this risk has become a key part of ensuring safe, reliable power for customers across our communities.

In 2022, we launched an ambitious Vegetation Management Plan, a long-term strategy that is already showing strong results in reducing outages and improving safety. Before this plan, vegetation work mostly happened after the fact, with crews responding to outages or hazards reported by customers.

Using LiDAR mapping data our Engineering team developed a detailed plan to identify risks, trim back vegetation, and establish a sustainable cycle of maintenance.

The Vegetation Management Plan set out to accomplish several key objectives:

• Eliminate immediate hazards by removing vegetation within one metre of overhead primary lines.
• Build a vegetation register to track tree growth rates and future trimming needs.
• Meet industry standards of three metres of clearance from power lines.
• Establish an optimal trimming cycle to keep the system safe and efficient long-term.

Work began in June 2022 with additional tree-trimming crews deployed across the service area.

By the end of 2024, all immediate hazards have been cleared:

• 100% of the system cut back to 1 metre.
• 372.4.5 km (30%) cut back to 2 metres.
• 132.7 km (14.4%) cut back to 3 metres.

These results highlight where further progress can be made. High wind events (40+ km/hr), such as the major storms experienced this summer remain a significant cause of outages. Trimming vegetation back to the full three-metre clearance will help reduce the impacts of these weather events.

By shifting to a proactive, risk-based approach, we’re reducing outages, improving safety, and creating a reliable foundation for the future. This is an investment in long-term reliability that benefits every customer we serve.

SYNERGY NORTH’s Vegetation Management Plan is designed with a long-term view, extending to 2031. Over the next several years, SYNERGY NORTH will continue cutting vegetation back to the CSA standard of three metres across its service territory. By 2028, we expect to move into an “optimal cycle,” where vegetation is maintained every three to four years.

For SYNERGY NORTH, the plan represents more than just tree trimming. It is a major step forward in building a more resilient electricity system while protecting workers, customers, and communities.

What You Can Do: Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

You play an important role in helping SYNERGY NORTH keep electricity reliable and safe. One of the best ways homeowners can help is by choosing the right tree for the right place.

• Avoid tall-growing trees near lines – Trees that grow too tall can cause dangerous contact with power or communication lines, leading to outages and safety hazards.
• Choose low-growing, compact species – These are safe to plant under or near power lines, while still adding beauty and shade to your property.
• Save tall trees for open spaces – If you’d like to plant larger trees, make sure they are placed well away from overhead lines and other electrical equipment.
• Plan for the future – Always check the mature height of a tree or shrub before planting. A small tree today may become tomorrow’s outage risk if it’s planted too close to power lines.

For more information about SYNERGY NORTH Tree Trimming practices visit: Forestry Maintenance – Synergy North