Managing tree and branch debris

Hydro‑Québec carries out vegetation control near medium‑voltage power lines to prevent serious accidents and damage to the power grid. Debris from tree‑cutting and pruning operations is sometimes left on‑site to enrich biodiversity, in accordance with environmental best practices.

Is debris collected or left where it is?

Debris can either be collected or left where it is, depending on the nature of the operation and the type of wood and tree.

Unscheduled operations

In the case of an accident or a weather event resulting in an outage, such as an ice storm, Hydro‑Québec will prune or cut down trees as needed to restore power promptly and secure the area.

Hydro‑Québec or a company it hires will carry out the work at no charge to the tree owner. The debris is always left on‑site.

Worker in a lifting device cutting a tree branch during an ice storm

Scheduled operations

When Hydro‑Québec plans vegetation control activities to maintain the power grid and prevent outages, the debris is handled in different ways, depending on the type of wood and tree.

  • Merchantable wood
    The parts of trees that have commercial value (a diameter of more than 10 cm) are cut at different lengths and left on-site for the property owner to use as they wish.
  • Ornamental trees
    These are trees that are grown for aesthetic or practical reasons–for example, to serve as windbreaks or sound barriers. Their leaves and branches are chipped and sent to a recovery centre, at no cost to the owner.
  • Non‑ornamental trees
    Debris from non‑ornamental trees, usually found in natural (unlandscaped) environments, is left where it is. Trimmings are either spread over the ground or piled into small mounds. Work on this type of tree is carried out at no cost to the owner.
Employee in a tree cutting a branch near power lines

Disposal options for tree and branch debris

Owners are responsible for disposing of tree and branch debris, as would be the case if the trees had been damaged by wind gusts or freezing rain. Here are some appropriate disposal options.

  • Municipal waste collection

    Several municipalities and boroughs offer a service to collect branches and green waste. You can dispose of your debris according to their collection procedures and schedules.

  • Eco‑centre

    You can take your branch debris to the nearest eco‑centre so that it can be recycled in an ecological and sustainable way.

  • Fuel

    Do you have a fireplace or wood stove? Use the debris as fuel. This is both a practical and an environmentally friendly option, provided you comply with the regulations in effect in your municipality.

  • Other resources

    Some municipalities have partnerships with wood reclamation organizations or wood selling companies that can collect the debris for you–a win‑win solution!

Most common situations

This is how debris is handled in the four most common situations.

Emergency response

Hydro‑Québec has to act quickly to prune your trees or those of your neighbours in order to restore service. Since this is an urgent, unscheduled operation with no cost to the owner, the resulting debris is left on‑site.

Regular maintenance

Hydro‑Québec has to prune your trees or those of your neighbours as part of regular maintenance aimed at clearing vegetation near the power grid. If the trees are ornamental, debris without commercial value will be chipped and collected, with a few exceptions. Parts of trees that have commercial value (diameter of more than 10 cm) will be cut at different lengths and left on‑site.

Customer request

You’ve shared your concerns regarding the security of the power grid or a public safety issue and, following a risk assessment, Hydro‑Québec has agreed to take action. Since this is an urgent, unscheduled operation, there is no cost to the tree owner, but the debris will be left on‑site.

Clearing along a roadway

Hydro‑Québec has cut down almost all the trees lining the roadway on either side of the power line. Debris between the roadway and line will be collected or chipped on site, whereas debris between the line and forest will be spread over the ground or piled into mounds.

Tree debris is good for biodiversity

Tree debris has a role to play in preserving biodiversity. Whether the trimmings are chipped or not, they can be scattered over the ground. As the debris decomposes, it enriches the soil with organic matter and contributes to the carbon cycle.

When piled into small mounds called windrows, debris provides a sustainable habitat for wildlife and invertebrates. Dead wood from large‑diameter trees promotes the germination of certain plant species and can help retain water and control erosion.

Learn about Hydro‑Québec's biodiversity strategy and initiatives

White-throated sparrow nesting on a snag
When trees that are compatible with the power system are preserved and branches are piled into mounds, they become an attractive habitat for the white‑throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This species can find food and shelter in the mounds and can even nest there.

Frequently asked questions

Why preserve the trunks of dead or dying trees?

The trunks of dead or dying trees that are still standing are called snags. They play a vital role in ecosystems, because dead wood attracts mushrooms and insects. Over time, these organisms create cavities where small mammals take shelter to give birth or protect themselves from predators. Snags are home to many species of mushrooms, plants, invertebrates, birds and small mammals. Hydro‑Québec therefore recommends leaving them in place, provided all safety criteria are met.

A small fir snag is left standing after clearing beneath a power line.

Where is debris left alongside roads?

For safety and aesthetic reasons, debris alongside roads is always placed between the power line and forest edge, never between the road and line. The debris can also be chipped and blown across the strip of land beneath the line that has been cleared.

Does Hydro‑Québec do all vegetation control work?

No, Hydro‑Québec doesn’t do all vegetation control work. Authorized companies are hired to carry out regular maintenance. However, in emergency situations, Hydro‑Québec crews perform certain operations.

Hydro‑Québec has cut down an ash tree in a right‑of‑way on my land. Is it my responsibility to dispose of the debris?

If your property is in an area with an emerald ash borer infestation, it is your responsibility, as the owner, to get rid of the tree debris (trunk, large branches, etc.), in accordance with regulations.

Several municipalities affected by emerald ash borer infestations have established special procedures for handling and processing this plant waste. For more information, contact your municipality or visit its website.

You can also visit the website of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which designs and manages programs aimed at mitigating risks associated with animal and plant diseases, as well as plant pests and invasive species like the emerald ash borer.