Mystic — Eversource plans to cut down 21 trees along east side of Route 27 in the vicinity of Mystic Seaport next week.

Eversource spokeswoman Tricia Taskey Modifica said Thursday that the trees are being removed “because they are growing into the electric lines and are threatening electric reliability.”

The tree removal is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Jan. 3, and is expected to take about two days to complete. She said the work will have minimal impact on traffic in the area.

“It’s important to note that trees are the number one cause of power outages and we have seen fewer outages in communities where our arborists have been working to maintain the proper clearance between limbs and power lines,” Taskey Modifica said.

She added that, as it always does, Eversource worked closely with town leaders “to strike the right balance between esthetics and reliable electric service.”

Eversource officials recently walked the area where the trees will come down with Stonington Fist Selectmen Rob Simmons, Stonington Tree Warden Dan Oliverio and a Seaport official.

Simmons said Thursday that they agreed with the power company's decision to remove the trees.

“We’re mindful that people are concerned about the appearance of Route 27 as it is the gateway into Mystic,” Simmons said.

He said he, Oliverio, the Seaport and Eversource discussed each of the trees identified as damaged, not in good health or interfering with the power grid.

He said that if trees are not removed or trimmed, residents could be left without power, as occurred with a windstorm on Oct. 2. Since Hurricane Sandy, Eversource has made an extensive effort across the state to trim back trees to prevent downed power lines.