Helpful Definitions
Right of Way: An area of land reserved for public use—such as streets, sidewalks, and utilities—where the city has the right to build, maintain, or access infrastructure. Trees in the right of way are typically managed by the city.
Tree Canopy: The layer of leaves, branches, and stems formed by trees. When we talk about “tree canopy,” we usually mean how much of the ground is shaded or covered by trees when viewed from above.
Urban Forestry: The planning, planting, care, and management of trees in cities and towns. Urban forestry focuses on keeping our community’s trees healthy, abundant, and beneficial for people and wildlife.
Arborist: A trained tree care professional who specializes in planting, pruning, diagnosing problems, and helping keep trees healthy and safe.
Ordinance: A local law or regulation adopted by a city or county. Tree ordinances help guide how trees are protected, planted, or maintained in a community.
Invasive Species:Plants, animals, or organisms that are not native to an area and spread quickly, often harming local ecosystems. Invasive plant species can outcompete native plants and reduce biodiversity.
List of Common Pests & Diseases
Intergraged Pest Management (IPM)
Steps For Trees
- Prevention & Plant Selection
- Choose tree species/varieties adapted to local conditions.
- Use good planting, mulching, watering, and soil care.
- Scout seasonal intervals (at least spring and late summer) to check for early signs of pests using visual inspections, sticky traps, beat sheets, or degree-day tracking.
- Properly identify pests and their life stage to apply effective controls (e.g., molds, insects, diseases, abiotic stress).
4. Thresholds for Action
- Establish aesthetic or health-based thresholds—only intervene when pest populations reach damaging levels.
5. Management Tactics (from lowest to highest impact)
- Cultural controls: Pruning, mulching, adjusting irrigation, improving soil, removing debris.
- Physical/mechanical: Hand-pick tent caterpillars, prune infected branches, apply barriers
- Biological: Encourage beneficial predators or use microbial insecticides (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis).
- Chemical (as last resort): Apply targeted pesticides only when necessary, following label directions and use sparingly.
trees and power lines
WHY IT MATTERS
Trees growing too close to power lines can cause safety hazards, power outages, fires, and expensive repairs. It’s important for homeowners—and utilities—to manage tree growth proactively.
Local Rules in
Newport News
- The City’s Tree and vegetation ordinance (Chapter 40.3) sets rules for trees located on city property and public rights-of-way—including trees near power lines. Utility companies are allowed to trim such trees without a permit but must follow city guidelines to preserve tree health.
- If you want to trim or remove trees on public property or within the right-of-way, you generally need a Right-of-Way Permit from the city’s Permit Office
sTATE sAFETY laws
in virginia
- For power lines over 600 volts, tree trimming falls under Virginia’s Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Act. Only trained professionals may perform this kind of trimming.
- Lower-voltage lines under 600 volts also require trained workers following safety standards under OSHA regulations (1910.269).
What Dominion Energy Does
What Dominion Energy Does
Dominion Energy, the local utility provider, follows industry best practices:
- They use ANSI A300 standards and ISA-trained arborists to prune trees safely around power lines.
- Transmission lines (high-voltage) are trimmed every 3–4 years, focusing on safety and reliability.
- They apply Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM), targeting undesirable plants and ensuring healthy regrowth.
- For distribution lines (lower voltage), they prune or remove riskier branches and trees and may apply herbicide where necessary.
- They also guide homeowners: plant “Right Tree, Right Place” away from power lines (e.g., 50 ft from large lines; 30 ft from medium ones).
What You Can Do as a Homeowner
- Plant smart: Choose smaller trees for spots under or near power lines.
- Maintain regularly: Trim branches well before they grow into the “utility pruning zone.”
- Don’t DIY risky trimming: Leave pruning near power lines to trained professionals—whether your utility provider or a certified arborist.
- Request service: If a tree near power lines concerns you, contact Dominion Energy to request a safety inspection or trimming.
Contacts & Resources
- Newport News Permit Office (for right-of-way work): Email: permits@nnva.gov | Phone: 757‑933‑2311
- Dominion Energy (VA) – Reporting vegetation hazards, trimming requests, or planting advice: Visit their “Tree Trimming & Powerlines” page or call 1‑800‑215‑8032
