Residents in Galion’s northeast neighborhoods (basically Ward 2) could see some significant changes to the trees surrounding their homes over the coming months as the city prepares for another round of electric line clearance work.
The City of Galion is now seeking contractors for a tree trimming and removal project covering the entire northeast quadrant of the city. The work is intended to reduce the risk of electrical outages caused by branches and trees growing too close to overhead power lines. The project will extend beyond street-side trees to include utility lines running through backyards, potentially bringing trimming crews onto residential properties throughout the designated area.
An Entire Quadrant Of The City
According to the city’s invitation for bids, the project area is bounded by North Market Street on the west and Harding Way East on the south. Each and every road within those boundaries is included, along with both primary and secondary electric lines located behind homes and other properties. That distinction is important in Galion, where portions of the electrical distribution system run through residential backyards rather than exclusively along public streets.
For homeowners, the work could mean substantial pruning of trees that have grown near power lines, even in areas not readily visible from the street.
The city is requiring a clearance zone extending 10 feet from electrical lines. Contractors must remove branches and other vegetation within that zone, including overhead growth that extends above the lines. The specifications also contemplate complete tree removal in certain circumstances, particularly when a tree is so close to a primary electrical line that trimming would leave little or none of its upper structure intact.
Why The City Trims Trees
Galion’s Electric Line Department describes tree trimming as a seasonal preventive maintenance activity intended to protect the electrical distribution system and reduce power outages.
Trees growing near energized power lines can create problems during severe weather, particularly when high winds, ice, or heavy snow cause limbs to break or bend into electrical equipment. Even without a storm, branches growing into overhead lines can interfere with electrical service.
The city’s established practice calls for maintaining a 10-foot separation between tree branches and electric lines, the same distance specified in the new bidding documents.
The work represents a balancing act between preserving mature trees and protecting the infrastructure that delivers electricity to homes and businesses.
What Property Owners Should Know
For residents concerned about how trees on their property might be affected, the city provides an alternative to having its own crews or contractors perform the trimming. According to Galion’s published tree trimming guidance, property owners may hire qualified professional tree trimmers to shape their trees according to their preferences, provided the required 10-foot clearance from electric lines is maintained. Residents choosing that option must notify the Galion Electric Line Division of their plans and scheduled trimming date.
The city advises using professionals qualified to work around energized electrical lines. Homeowners should not attempt to prune branches near power lines themselves.
Galion’s general tree trimming policy also provides that the Electric Line Department, or a contractor acting on its behalf, may perform required trimming when property owners have not arranged for the work themselves. Residents can contact the Electric Line Department at 419-468-5520 with questions about trimming requirements or whether a particular tree may be affected.
Part Of An Ongoing Citywide Effort
The northeast quadrant project follows similar efforts in other portions of Galion. In 2025, the city sought bids for electric line clearance throughout the southeast quadrant, including additional stretches of the municipal electrical system extending beyond the city’s residential core. That project covered areas along South Street, Jackson Road, Reed Road, Millsboro Road, and State Route 97. The earlier bidding documents contained the same general requirements for maintaining electrical clearance and removing trees that could not be adequately preserved through pruning.
Work Could Continue Through Winter
Contractors interested in the northeast quadrant project must submit sealed bids to the city’s Safety-Service Director at the Municipal Building, 301 Harding Way East, by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 24. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time.
Under the proposed schedule, all work must be completed by March 1, 2027, unless the Safety-Service Director approves an extension. The city reserves the right to reject bids and select the lowest or best bidder. Contract awards exceeding $4,999 require approval by Galion’s Board of Control.
No estimated contract cost, contractor selection, or specific neighborhood-by-neighborhood work schedule was included in the public notice.
For residents of northeast Galion, the approaching project means that trees growing near electrical lines may receive attention during the winter months, with some requiring more extensive work than others. The goal is to provide adequate space around the electrical system before the next round of severe weather puts those lines to the test.