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Vegetation Definitions

Owen Tree Service: OTSHD

Vegetation Definitions

Brush Density

Brush density is classified into three categories based on crown cover density. These categories apply to high-voltage distribution lines and border zones of transmission lines: 

  • Sparse Brush Acres: Areas where tree species have a crown cover density of 33% or less. 
  • Medium Brush Acres: Areas where tree species have a crown cover density between 33% and 66%. 
  • Dense Brush Acres: Areas where tree species have a crown cover density greater than 66%. 

Centerline Zone

The centerline zone is the area within the transmission line right-of-way, energized at 138 kV or higher, directly below and between the outermost conductors, plus an additional 10 feet on each side. 

Danger Tree

A danger tree is any woody species with a mature height of over 20 feet and a trunk diameter of 8 inches or more at breast height (dbh). These trees grow adjacent to the normally cleared transmission right-of-way and could potentially contact the transmission line if they were to fall.  

Distribution Brush Unit 

A distribution brush unit is a ¼ length of a distribution span containing woody vegetation that can grow over 20 feet at maturity, but is currently shorter than the conductor height within the right-of-way. These units are included in the Unit Brush Work but not in reliability work. 

Transmission Brush Unit  

A transmission brush unit consists of sparse, medium, or dense vegetation capable of growing more than 20 feet at maturity, located within the right-of-way as identified by the transmission inspection program. It does not include transmission trees. 

Transmission Tree

A transmission tree is any tree that: 

  • Grows to a height of more than 15 feet, with a minimum diameter of 8 inches at dbh in unmaintained areas of high-voltage distribution or transmission rights-of-way, or 
  • Grows to a height of more than 15 feet, with a minimum diameter of 4 inches at dbh in maintained areas of high-voltage distribution or transmission rights-of-way. 

Tree

A tree is any woody species that: 

  • Grows to a height of more than 20 feet, with a stem diameter of 4 inches or more at dbh for distribution circuits, or 
  • Grows to a height of more than 15 feet, with a stem diameter of 8 inches or more at dbh for high-voltage distribution and transmission lines. 

For reporting and billing, trees near multiple conductors are considered as one. Multi-stem trees that separate more than 2 feet above ground level are treated as one tree if any stem is 4 inches or greater at dbh. Stems that divide less than 2 feet above the ground are counted as separate trees if they meet the 4-inch diameter threshold at dbh. 

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