Columbia, South Carolina – Dominion Energy crews are scheduled to begin a new round of tree trimming along overhead utility lines on Monday, June 8, 2026, as part of ongoing work meant to strengthen electric service reliability and reduce safety risks before problems occur.
The work is set to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in several Columbia-area neighborhoods. The scheduled distribution line tree trimming will include Central Rosewood Neighborhood, South Kilbourne Neighborhood, Ashewood Homeowners Association, Strathaven Forest Neighborhood, Capital View, East Lake Homeowners Association, Avalon Place Neighbors, Meadowfield Neighborhood Association, Brandon Acres/Cedar Terrace Neighborhood, and St. Marks Wood Neighborhood Association.
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For many residents, the work may appear simple from the street: trucks, crews, equipment, branches coming down, and utility corridors being opened up. But the purpose reaches beyond appearance. Trees growing too close to power lines can create hazards during storms, high winds, heavy rain, or normal seasonal growth. By clearing selected vegetation before it interferes with overhead lines, Dominion Energy aims to improve both public safety and the dependability of electric service.
The trimming will be completed by contractors working for Dominion Energy. City Certified Arborists from the Forestry and Beautification Division will closely monitor the work while it is being carried out. According to the notice, the trimming guidelines call for removing vegetation within 8 to 12 feet below and beside power lines, as well as up to 20 feet above the lines.
Dominion Energy and its contractors are expected to trim according to International Society of Arboriculture guidelines and use ANSI A300 pruning methods. Those standards are intended to leave proper cuts that support healthy new growth instead of damaging trees unnecessarily.
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The scheduled trimming is also connected to broader utility reliability work. Dominion Energy’s re-conductor work includes pole replacements and the installation of new wire in select locations. The goal of that work is also to improve reliability, especially in areas where older infrastructure may need upgrading.
Residents who want to see where tree trimming crews are working can use Dominion Energy’s real-time tracking website at https://treetrimming.dominionenergyse.com/. The tool allows customers to follow tree trimmers as work moves through scheduled areas.
Anyone with specific questions or concerns is encouraged to reach out before the work is completed. Citizens may contact Forestry and Beautification at 803-545-3860 or Dominion Energy at 1-800-562-9308 to discuss concerns in advance.
More information about Dominion Energy’s tree trimming program, including tips on tree planting and vegetation near utility lines, is available at www.dominionenergysc.com/treetrimming.
The work may bring temporary disruption to some neighborhoods, but city and utility officials are framing it as preventive maintenance with a clear purpose: keeping trees, power lines, homes, and streets safer while helping electric service remain steady when residents need it most.