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PAGE 2 | MARCH 2014


Tree trimming keeps electric service safe, reliable BY JULIANN GRAHAM, Communications Coordinator


employees safe while also reducing the likelihood of power outages caused by falling limbs.


T


Trees that grow too close to electric lines can create shock and fi re hazards as well as power outages. T is is especially true during periods of strong winds, ice and snow. All of those conditions occur in the cooperative’s service territory.


TCEC has contracted with Rigg’s Tree Service to trim trees in its service territory throughout the year. T e trees


ree trimming along the cooperative’s right-of -way helps keep TCEC members and


are trimmed on a three year rotation.


Two factors are taken into consideration when determining how much to trim off a tree in the cooperative’s right-of-way: • Amount of clearance needed between trees and power lines to keep branches away during high winds.


• Amount to trim to keep the crew from coming back outside of its three year rotation cycle


Rigg’s Tree Service always attempts to contact the member when they are trimming trees on or near their property. Remember, trees are trimmed to ensure safety and improve reliability. T e best


way to avoid tree trimming is to plant trees properly.


T e graphic below illustrates the type of vegetation that can grow safely near the cooperative’s right-of-way. When trees must be cleared, tree removal is the most cost eff ective method in the long term, with radical crown reduction being second. T e third and most expensive method is a slight trim of the tree which requires the cooperative to return over and over again to trim the tree.


T e cooperative strives to maintain a balance between safe and reliable electric service and the health of the trees. n


THE BELOW DIAGRAM SHOWS PROPER CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR TREES AND SHRUBS NEAR POWER LINES. WHEN TREES AREN’T PLANTED PROPERLY, THEY POSE SAFETY RISKS AND CAN CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. THEY ALSO INCREASE THE COOPERATIVE’S MAINTENANCE COSTS.


45’ 35’ 15’ E 15’ A B C D


BEFORE PLANTING A TREE, CONSIDER WHAT THE MATURE HEIGHT OF THE TREE WILL BE. THE LETTERS BELOW EACH TREE IN THE ABOVE ILLUSTRATION RELATE TO THE TYPES OF VEGETATION LISTED BELOW THAN CAN BE SAFELY PLANTED NEAR THE COOPERATIVE’S RIGHT-OF-WAY. A. IF LANDSCAPING IS NEEDED NEAR RIGHT-OF-WAY AREAS, CHOOSE LOW GROWTH SHRUBS. B. SMALLER TREES CAN BE PLANTED ON RIGHT-OF-WAY EDGES, AT LEAST 15’ FROM POWER LINES. C. MEDIUM TREES NEED TO BE PLANTED AT LEAST 35’ AWAY FROM LINES. D. LARGE TREES NEED TO BE PLANTED AT LEAST 45’ AWAY FROM OVERHEAD LINES. E. TREES PLANTED TOO CLOSE TO THE LINES WILL ALWAYS BE MISSHAPEN BY UNAVOIDABLE PRUNING OF LIMBS TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE WITH LINES.


Edge of Clear Zone


Edge of Clear Zone


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