Tree Trimming Around Power Lines - FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy also promotes the practice of plantingthe right tree in the right place. Planting low-growingvarieties helps eliminate the need for future branchpruning or tree removal.For additional information about FirstEnergy’svegetation management programs, or advice onplanting compatible vegetation near power lines, goto www.firstenergycorp.com. Click on “Our ElectricCompanies” and select Potomac Edison. Then clickon “Safety” and look for “Maintaining trees near powerlines” or “How to select the right tree for the location.”Or, call our Customer Service Center toll-freeat 1-800-686-0011.treetrimmingaround power linesWhat you should knowabout our vegetationmanagement programWhile these tree-care programs represent a significantinvestment, they are necessary to help ensure electricservice reliability.COMM1926-8-12-AI-HP

In the electric utility industry, trees are a leadingcause of power outages. FirstEnergy’s operatingcompanies – including Potomac Edison – havedeveloped an award-winning tree-care maintenanceprogram that combines the best practices of certifiedarborists and foresters to keep vegetation away frompower lines and other electric equipment.We recognize the sensitivity of our customers andcommunities to this important aspect of improvingservice reliability, and we appreciate your support.We maintain more than 9,000 miles of distributionlines throughout our Maryland service area, andtrim thousands of trees each year. However, whenmaintaining high-voltage transmission lines, weremove rather than prune trees on our right-of-wayif they threaten the reliability of our system. Removalis done in accordance with existing easement rights.Areas near distribution or transmission lines shouldbe clear of any vegetation that could cause poweroutages.Typically, “directional pruning” is employed to keeptrees away from distribution lines. This technique isthe accepted industry standard and is promotedby the National Arbor Day Foundation and theInternational Society of Arboriculture.Directional pruning is visually different from othertechniques used in the past – such as topping orrounding – and is better for the health of the treebecause it only targets those branches that grownear or could interfere with the electrical equipment.However, when a tree cannot be pruned effectivelywithout significantly impacting its health or shape,it is removed. Our crews do not remove the stumpsor roots of trees.At least once every five years, FirstEnergy’s lineclearance experts inspect the distribution lines inneighborhoods. Plans are developed, customers arenotified and the work is done by certified tree contractors.Before PruningAfter Pruning