[Durham INC] [whhna-list] [OWDNA] Pruning City Trees

[michael shiflett]

Does anyone remember the power outage of August 14th, 2003?
Do the facts surrounding the total black out across 8 states and Ontario ring a bell?   Were you one of the over 50,000,000 people in those mid eastern states that were affected?.
Do you know what initiated that black out?
A single tree in Ohio.
The consequence and cascading events that followed resulted in a massive federal investigation and final mandates that power companies HAVE TO prune trees to prevent future failures or face strict and expensive fines.   Guess who ends up paying for those fines?
Even if a power company misses a tree that later is the cause of a failure they are accessed fines based on how long that 'violation' was allowed to exist.
So,  while I am no fan of tree trimming that has slaughtered thousands of trees across Durham,  I understand why Duke Power and it's contractors prune so severely.  
But I also believe that there are solutions that are much longer in implementation that we as a city might eventually consider.  But for now....
Don is correct and is giving excellent advice.
"Duke Energy is the only company approved to prune the trees in the power lines. They are specially trained to deal with the safety issues. --The city jealously guards the health of its trees--that's any tree planted within the right of way, usually about six feet from the back of the curb. Trimming city trees without written permission results in a citation and fine. The reason for this is that the city is responsible for anything that happens with those trees--if one falls on a house or in the street or injures someone. Improper pruning can severely damage a tree.
If someone stops by and claims they are working for either Duke Energy or the City of Durham, and they're not carrying identification from either Duke or the city, don't believe them. Don't hire them, and don't pay them. 
 
If you have a problem with a street tree just call Durham One Call at 919-560-1200. The city arborists are great and will be happy to take a look. If it's an issue with a power line, the city staff will contact Duke Energy for you.
 


> Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 21:02:17 -0500
> To: don.moffitt at gmail.com
> CC: whhna-list at rtpnet.org; inc-list at rtpnet.org; owdna at yahoogroups.com; Kevin.Lilley at durhamnc.gov
> Subject: Re: [whhna-list] [OWDNA] Pruning City Trees
> From: whhna-list at rtpnet.org
> 
> I will have to disagree with Don on one major point: Duke will butcher your tree.... I am sure I speak for the masses here who have seen first hand Dukes bloody work.
> 
> Rodrigo 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > On Dec 8, 2014, at 8:54 PM, Don Moffitt don.moffitt at gmail.com [owdna] <owdna-noreply at yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> > 
> > On the Watts Hospital Hillandale list there has been discussion about two companies offering to trim "street trees" and trees "growing into the power lines". 
> > 
> > Two things to know: 
> > --Duke Energy is the only company approved to prune the trees in the power lines. They are specially trained to deal with the safety issues.  
> > --The city jealously guards the health of its trees--that's any tree planted within the right of way, usually about six feet from the back of the curb. Trimming city trees without written permission results in a citation and fine. The reason for this is that the city is responsible for anything that happens with those trees--if one falls on a house or in the street or injures someone. Improper pruning can severely damage a tree.
> > 
> > If someone stops by and claims they are working for either Duke Energy or the City of Durham, and they're not carrying identification from either Duke or the city, don't believe them. Don't hire them, and don't pay them. 
> > 
> > If you have a problem with a street tree just call Durham One Call at 919-560-1200. The city arborists are great and will be happy to take a look. If it's an issue with a power line, the city staff will contact Duke Energy for you.
> > 
> > Best,
> > Don
> > __._,_.___
> > Posted by: Don Moffitt <don.moffitt at gmail.com>
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