Tree Canopy

The City of Charleston and Dominion Energy work together using this Tree Agreement. As outlined in the agreement, before the first of the year, Dominion Energy must provide to the city the following information:
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• A map of pruning circuits for the next six (6) months to one (1) year
• A list of possible areas, locations, and target dates to commence and conclude pruning for each project.
• A list of possible contractors.
• Any changes in pruning standards.
• A copy of pruning guidelines and contract specifications to be followed by contractors.
• Dates for pre-pruning meetings with contractors.

HCF is holding them accountable for providing this information to the city before January 1, 2026. Once the information is provided to the city, we will publish it on our website.  

HCF has learned that there is a lot of room for improvement on how residents are notified and involved in the tree trimming process. After the city learns about Dominion Energy’s plans in general, residents are notified by postcards through the mail, but there is often no specific date mentioned, nor any details on the process.

Dominion Energy has a phone number on their website (1-800-251-7234) that residents can call to have an arborist look at certain trees before trimming, but responses are often slow, and your call does not stop the trimming from proceeding.  

We do not think that this process has been adequate. Over the coming months, HCF will be working with the city to learn more about Dominion Energy’s plans so that we can ensure that neighborhoods and residents are never surprised by trimming.  

In June 2019, the city passed the Tree Protection Agreement that outlines standards to be used by Dominion Energy when trimming trees.

The standards require that pruning be done by a qualified tree service and performed using the National Arborist Association’s Pruning Standards for Shade Trees.

Dominion Energy follows a method called directional pruning to keep trees from growing too close to power lines. This means trimming the branches into a “V” or “L” shape around the lines. The work follows ANSI-A300 standards, which are standard guidelines for tree care.  

We believe that Charleston deserves better than minimum standards. We have also learned that what is required versus what is implemented varies depending on the specific subcontractor assigned to a location.

In the coming months, HCF will be exploring the possibility of reviewing the standards in the city’s ordinance to ensure Charleston’s standards are the most stringent and protective in the nation. Our city and our trees deserve it.  

Yes, Dominion Energy is exempt from the city’s requirements for tree protection if they agree to the following: (1) Recognize the need to minimize cutting and trimming of grand trees; (2) Establish design guidelines for construction and maintenance which identifies the saving of grand trees as a factor to be considered in the design process; and (3) Allow for a consultation process with the city. If they do not adhere to those three items, they are no longer exempt from the city’s tree protection requirements. To read the ordinance in its entirety, visit here.  

Tree trimming is performed on a continuous 5-year cycle, meaning Dominion Energy typically services each neighborhood once every five years. The 2025 trimming cycle is coming to a close as we work with the city to obtain more information on where and when 2026 trimming will begin. Check back here for updates soon.

Tree trimming work contracted by Dominion is currently carried out by Xylem Tree Experts, a company trained in utility vegetation management. However, we have heard from many residents that Xylem Tree Experts often deploy subcontractors who are inconsistent in their approach to trimming.

It’s true that if Charleston were to bury powerlines, it would eliminate the need for tree trimming and result in healthier, more attractive trees downtown. Burying or “undergrounding” powerlines also improves storm resilience and makes the area look better.

However, undergrounding powerlines is a costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming process. Every neighbor must donate a utility easement (so 100% of the people must agree, which is no easy feat), and some neighbors must agree to place transformers on their properties, which is often a stumbling block.  

To begin the process, you can call us. We are happy to facilitate a meeting with your neighbors and the city. First, though, you should probably ask your neighbors if they are willing to go through the process with you. Based on past projects, you should expect the entire process to run from 5-10 years. Some projects have been on the list longer than that!

Typically, the city will want you to secure a neighborhood petition or city designation that demonstrates neighborhood-wide support. Once approved, Dominion Energy and the city will conduct a feasibility study, followed by engineering, permitting, cost allocation, and construction.  

This is a long process that requires a lot of coordination. One key challenge is that undergrounding requires consent from all property owners, since the work affects everyone’s property. On top of that, above-ground transformers still need to be placed on private property, so some owners on each street will need to “take one for the team” and agree to have a transformer installed. The more that can be worked out in advance of approaching Dominion Energy, the faster the project will move.  

To offset the cost of undergrounding, Dominion Energy customers (all of us!) currently pay into a Non-Standard Service Fund (NSSF), established through a franchise agreement between the city and Dominion Energy. That fund is used to bury powerlines across the city.  For individual projects, the cost of undergrounding is typically shared between the city, the utility company, and property owners. For Non-Standard Service Fund (NSSF) projects, the city and Dominion usually split the cost 50/50, while property owners are responsible for the connection to their own property.  

The following areas have completed underground utility installations as NSSF Projects (note that new construction requires that utilities be placed underground):

Completed NSSF Projects: 
• Country Club
• Country Club II
• Orange Street
• 220 Nassau (Archer School) 
• 141 Meeting Street

Projected Projects in Design:  
• Ansonborough (neighborhood-wide) • Ansonborough Phase 1 • Wesson Avenue • Wappoo Heights (neighborhood-wide)

Currently under Construction: 
• 56 State Street 

— Mac Gandy, City of Charleston’s Undergrounding Project Manager at 843-724-7315 or email gandym@charleston-sc.gov
— Questions about when your trees will be cut? Residents can check the schedule for current and upcoming tree trimming by using this interactive map: https://treetrimming.dominionenergyse.com/
— Questions about what to do if you see problematic tree trimming? Residents can contact Dominion Energy SC Customer Service at (800) 251-7234 with questions about tree trimming, or visit www.dominionenergysc.com/treetrimming to learn more about the program.