Green Mountain Power Corp. has awarded a statewide tree trimming contract to Asplundh, a Pennsylvania-based company. The three-year contract, which accounts for half of GMP’s tree-related work, could mean a loss of work for local tree companies that worked for the former Central Vermont Public Service Corp.

GMP spokeswoman Dorothy Schnure said Thursday the contract with Asplundh will save ratepayers $500,000 a year. She also said companies that lost out on the tree-trimming bid will still be able to bid on the remaining work, including transmission trimming, tree removal and capital construction work.

Schnure said Asplundh plans on hiring local tree trimmers.