WPS preventing power outages with new tree trimming effort

Crews across northern Wisconsin are taking a fresh cut at keeping the lights on when severe weather strikes.

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is working on a new tree trimming project that will protect thousands of miles of power lines from being damaged during severe storms.

WPS is on track to clear more than 2,600 miles of power lines this year by trimming or removing nearly 4,000 “danger trees.” These are dying or dead trees — including many that are infected by the emerald ash borer beetle — that could easily fall onto electric equipment and cause power outages. Danger trees also include trees that have rapidly grown too close to WPS equipment.

The largest cause of power outages for WPS customers is trees and branches falling onto electric equipment. WPS is increasing its tree trimming efforts to significantly reduce the risk of trees knocking out power, particularly during severe weather.

A white box truck towing a flatbed trailer parked on a gravel road. Forestry workers trim large trees in the background.

A forestry worker trims back a tree branch while in a utility bucket near power lines.

Two forestry workers in utility buckets look at tree branches while up in the air.

A tree trimming worker kneels down to watch forestry crews trim large trees near utility poles and power lines.

A forestry worker trims a tree limb off a tree while working next to a power line.

A small pile of tree branches lays on grass near a green fence.

“If a tree has directional lean toward the power line, if it’s a threat to the line, those are the trees that we are trying to target,” said Brian Friedrich, regional forester — WPS. “We’re intentionally trying to look at trees within that 30-foot right-of-way range. But there are trees that are outside of 30 feet that we can take down if there is a high risk they would contact our equipment.”

The project is thanks to millions of dollars of additional funding approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The new tree trimming project is taking place at work sites across northeast and north central Wisconsin.

The efforts of WPS to deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy go beyond tree trimming. The company continues to strengthen its grid and add innovative technology to keep the lights on throughout the year. In 2021, WPS completed its System Modernization and Reliability Project, a massive 8-year effort that placed more than 2,000 miles of power lines underground.