INDIANAPOLIS -- Residents of a neighborhood in southeast Indianapolis, who are upset about the tree-trimming practices of the Indianapolis Power and Light Co., said Friday that they intend to ask state regulators for help.

Homeowners said that crews hired by the company were butchering their trees.

IPL said that the cuts are necessary to prevent tree limbs from falling on power lines and knocking out power.

Homeowner Darlene Walsh claimed that the crews chopped off limbs that weren't affecting any lines and had no regard for how the tree would look in the spring. She also said that the workers did not pick up the limbs.

Brian Neilson took matters into his own hands when crews arrived at his house.

"We basically told them to stop, and that we were going to be taking legal action and utilizing out lawyer," Neilson said. "Our (Nielson's) lawyer had indicated to us that if they (crews) came on our property, we were to call the police."

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission requires utilities to trim trees away from lines, but also mandates that the company follow accepted industry standards on what is reasonable.

IPL declined an on-camera interview, but a spokeswoman said that the company is sorry if its customers are unhappy, but the trees must be trimmed.

The spokeswoman also said that the debris remained on the ground because one of its chippers was out of service.