How Utility Companies Use LiDAR for Vegetation Management

Vegetation causes more power outages than any other factor. When tree branches contact power lines, the result ranges from brief service interruptions to catastrophic wildfires. In California alone, utility-caused wildfires have led to billions in damages and multiple fatalities. Globally, utilities spend over $10 billion annually on vegetation management — and LiDAR is transforming how they prioritize that investment.

The Traditional Approach

Historically, utilities relied on helicopter patrols and ground inspections to identify vegetation risks. Crews would fly or walk the lines, visually assessing which trees needed trimming. This approach is slow, expensive, and inherently subjective. Different inspectors flag different trees. Exact clearance distances are impossible to judge visually. And scheduling crews based on inconsistent data leads to either over-trimming (wasting money) or under-trimming (accepting risk).

The LiDAR Advantage

LiDAR surveys capture the precise 3D position of every wire, pole, crossarm, and nearby tree. Software automatically measures the distance between conductors and vegetation — not an estimate, but an exact measurement in centimeters. It identifies trees growing into the safety corridor, calculates which trees are tall enough to strike the line if they fall, and flags encroachments that violate regulatory clearance requirements.

The result is a prioritized work list based on actual risk, not visual impression. High-risk spans get immediate attention. Low-risk spans can wait. Trimming crews receive precise work orders specifying exactly which trees need attention, eliminating guesswork and rework.

Beyond Vegetation

The same LiDAR data supports other inspection tasks. Analysts can measure conductor sag to verify thermal ratings. They can check pole lean and crossarm level. They can identify equipment attached to poles and verify ground clearances. A single aerial survey supports multiple inspection workflows, multiplying the return on investment.

Vegetation Analysis with LidarVisor

LidarVisor automatically detects power line infrastructure, classifies vegetation, and calculates wire-to-tree clearances. Generate risk reports that prioritize work by encroachment severity, fall-in potential, and growth rate — focusing your vegetation management budget where it matters most.