UTILITYTREE PRUNING

UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

ALONG ELECTRIC LINES

02

TREE PRUNING FOR SAFETY & RELIABILITY

As part of our continuing effort to provide safe and reliable electric service, South Central Power has contracted with Asplundh Tree Expert Co. to prune trees that interfere with the power lines. Tree limbs coming into contact with power lines can cause safety hazards and service outages.

Our qualified utility arborists will only prune branches that could affect the power lines — especially during high winds or under load from snow and ice — and dead or weakened branches at risk of falling onto the lines. Branches growing away from the power lines will not be pruned.

We follow pruning standards set by the American National Standards Institute (A300 Standards), the International Society of Arboriculture, and the Tree Care Industry Association. These standards help provide reliable electricity safely, while at the same time promoting the health and well being of your trees.

Directional pruning does not solve all electric line clearance problems, though. The preferred approach is to remove trees that threaten the electric lines and equipment.

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PRUNING METHODS

Directional pruning (or natural pruning) removes only the branches that are growing toward the power lines. This practice protects tree health while directing future growth away from the power lines. We do not perform indiscriminate cutting of tree branches, or “topping.”

Directional pruning encourages trees to grow away from power lines.

Rounding over or “topping” damages trees and causes rapid growth toward the lines.

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PRUNING CUTS

Proper pruning cuts minimize injury to the tree. Cuts should not damage the branch collar or leave a stub.

Cutting just outside the branch collar allows the tree to “seal” the cut surface.

Cutting just outside the branch collar allows the tree to “seal” the cut surface.

PLANT THE RIGHT TREE, IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Before selecting and planting a tree, remember to look up to determine where the tree will be located in relation to over-head utility lines.

Planting lower-growing trees near power lines reduces the need for utility pruning. Visit www.southcentralpower.com for examples of suitable trees.

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SAFETY FIRST!

Remember: Power lines carry high electrical voltages! We employ trained professionals to clear vegetation from power lines. NEVER attempt to clear the lines yourself! Do not allow children to climb trees near power lines.

TREES ARE GOOD

Trees add beauty and enhance the quality of life in our community. Trees are nature’s sentries: screening out the scorching summer sun and buffering the brutal winter winds. However, falling trees and tree branches are a major cause of power outages. In order to keep the flow of electricity safe and reliable, it is sometimes necessary to prune or remove trees.

555B VALLEY KITCHEN DRIVE • MT. PLEASANT, PA 15666 OFFICE: 724-542-7444 • ASPLUNDH.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TREE HEALTH AND CARE, VISIT THESE WEB SITES:

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE WWW.TREESAREGOOD.COM

NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION WWW.ARBORDAY.ORG

UTILITY ARBORIST ASSOCIATION WWW.UTILITYARBORIST.ORG

BROCHURE PROVIDED BY:

1-800-282-5064AND

WORKING TOGETHER TO

PROVIDE SAFE, RELIABLE ELECTRIC

SERVICE TO THE MEMBERS OF

SOUTH CENTRAL POWER