Tree trimming policy recommendation

Our rail transportation system and local electrical power provider recently hired a tree service to trim trees that had encroached on power and rail lines. There was no doubt that there was a need to trim these trees. But, they really did a number on the trees and now many truly now look like they belong in a Walt Disney haunted forest--"Would you like an apple my pretty?"

Some members of the local community garden club are concerned that the severe trimming will kill the trees. We would like to contact these public agencies but want to recommend something positive when we do. Does anyone have experience formulating a positive recommendation to give to the public services about tree trimming?

I'd see if you can get a certified arborist to weigh in on the situation and write something up for you. Obviously nothing guarantees that they're going to listen to you, but a certified arborist is in the best position to know what's right for the trees and have the credibility to influence them to change what they're doing.

our local electric co has a policy of removing the trees to the ground and then applying a poison on the stump. they don't just trim them anymore. they say that it costs too much to the coop members to keep trimming the trees in the easement. also when there are ice storms it creates more problems for them. so unless the garden club is going to volunteer to keep the trees trimmed, i don't think they are going to listen too much.

Many cities are still willing to trim trees rather than killing them, I hope your city is in the minority there! And a big city like Chicago I imagine wouldn't want the bad PR of saying that they're going to kill all the trees rather than trimming them! So I still think it's worth getting the arborist's opinion, if there's a better way to trim the trees that won't cost more or take longer then they may be willing to listen (if it costs more or takes more time though it'll be much more of an uphill battle!)

Contact your local extension agent. Here in Ohio they're the lead agency that works with the utility companies in tree trimming practices. They have annual meetings with all partys at the table to try to promote less harmful pruning practices. There is not much that is really accomplished though. The utilities have the right to prune to keep the lines clear. Extension does work very closely with communities to get a practical and informed municipal tree planting program operating. The purpose is to get communities to plant the appropriate tree in the right place in the first place. Extension was successful in having the utilities not prune oak when it would be susceptible to oak wilt.

Here is your link:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/urbanhort.html

Extension Urban Horticulture is a wonderful resource for any gardener or gardening club.

Many thanks for your suggestions.

I certainly appreciate the link.

Okay, I am a tree lover of the first order. But, I am also a realist. Plantings with a growth potential over about 8 feet have no business being anywhere close to power distribution or communication lines. Most of the city of Springfield MO was without power for over 3 weeks January 2007 because the local utility company caved into pressure to cut back their pruning program.

hey jeff i know where brighton is. My grandparents use to have a farm in morrisville, they live in boliver now.

Hi Len. I am actually about 5 miles south of Brighton, in extreme northern Greene county. Brighton mailing address, Willard phone exchange and physically in Greene county.... nobody knows where we are!

well i never thought brighton was much.lol. my aunt and uncle were married in brighton years ago. a church right on 13 hiway. I've heard of willard, may have been there as a kid i don't know.

The utility tree height limit is 20 ft. There is a considerable list of trees which fit that height category and are adaptable to a wide variety of soil and climate conditions.