Utility Vegetation Management
Certified Utility Arborist consulting for right-of-way planning, contractor oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Get a Free QuoteExpert Consulting for Utilities & Municipalities
Vegetation-related outages cost utilities millions of dollars annually and pose serious safety risks to the public and utility workers. Effective vegetation management requires more than just cutting trees — it requires strategic planning, qualified oversight, and compliance with increasingly complex regulatory requirements.
Timber & Native provides utility vegetation management consulting backed by real-world operational experience. Our Certified Utility Arborist has hands-on experience managing vegetation programs, coordinating line clearance contractors, and ensuring compliance with NERC FAC-003 standards and state regulations. We bring the credentialed expertise that utilities and municipalities need.
Our UVM Services
Right-of-Way Planning
Development of comprehensive vegetation management work plans that balance reliability, safety, environmental stewardship, and cost-effectiveness. We help utilities plan multi-year trim cycles and prioritize high-risk circuits.
Contractor Coordination & Audits
On-site oversight and quality audits of line clearance contractors. We ensure work is performed to specification, safety protocols are followed, and customer interactions meet utility standards.
Work Plan Reviews
Independent review of existing vegetation management work plans, budgets, and operational procedures. We identify gaps, inefficiencies, and compliance risks, and provide actionable recommendations.
Compliance Consulting
Guidance on NERC FAC-003 compliance, state regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. We help utilities develop and maintain documentation systems that demonstrate compliance.
Hazard Tree Assessment
Identification and assessment of hazard trees within and adjacent to utility rights-of-way. We use ISA risk assessment methodology to prioritize removals and mitigate outage risk.
Need UVM Consulting?
Contact us to discuss how our Certified Utility Arborist can support your vegetation management program.
Contact UsFrequently Asked Questions
What is utility vegetation management?
Utility vegetation management (UVM) is the systematic planning, implementation, and oversight of vegetation control along utility rights-of-way. The goal is to maintain safe clearances between trees and power lines while minimizing environmental impact and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
Why do utilities need vegetation management consulting?
Vegetation contact is the leading cause of power outages in the United States. Utilities are required by NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and state regulations to maintain vegetation clearances. Our consulting services help utilities develop compliant work plans, audit contractor performance, and optimize their vegetation management programs.
Do you work with municipalities as well as utilities?
Yes. We provide vegetation management consulting for both investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities, as well as rural electric cooperatives. We also work with municipalities on right-of-way management, boulevard tree programs, and public land vegetation management.
What makes your utility vegetation management consulting different?
Our lead arborist is a Certified Utility Arborist with direct, hands-on experience in utility vegetation management operations. This is not theoretical consulting — we bring real-world operational knowledge to every engagement, from work plan development to field audits.