First Energy/CEI Topiary err Directional Trimming

[Jim O'Bryan]

Hey, anyone from the Tree Task Force out there?


I got a call from some Lakewood Heights residents about Davy Tree doing some weird and
amazing work on their street. "They are turning our trees into art projects!" was the
comment. So I went up and took a couple photos, and sure enough, it was interesting.


What was actually going on was what CEI and First Energy calls "Directional Trimming"
which is trimming away trees from their power lines. see thread "Tornado Watch In Effect
Until Midnight" http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12258
Where a main power line had caught a tree on fire at Franklin and Crest Lane.


My questions to my good friends on the Tree Task Force, is this good for a tree, or bad for
a tree, and does it not weaken the integrity of a tree? Which could cause trees to split,
and or large branches to fall, like the one that killed a person just over the border in Cleveland?

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[Tim Liston]

About eight years ago my little nephew Kai was climbing a tree between Huron and Vermilion. He slipped, and to prevent falling he grabbed what was closest to him. A power line. He was dead before he hit the ground. He was about seven or eight years old at the time. Very soon thereafter all the trees in that area were cut back away from the power lines. Much like your pictures.

What CEI has done looks very reasonable to me....

[Jim O'Bryan]

About eight years ago my little nephew Kai was climbing a tree between Huron and Vermilion. He slipped, and to prevent falling he grabbed what was closest to him. A power line. He was dead before he hit the ground. He was about seven or eight years old at the time. Very soon thereafter all the trees in that area were cut back away from the power lines. Much like your pictures.

What CEI has done looks very reasonable to me....

Tim

I completely understand it from CEI's point of view, or more to the point First Energy. A friend of
mine is the spokesman for First Energy, so I get their point. Again look at the fire started in a tree
just days ago, to see the potential.

At the same time a tree two houses from me got this treetment(get it) a decade or so ago, and the
massive oak, started to catch water in at the cutting, started to rot, and eventually split in two
hitting the house and crushing the garage. When the tree service came in they cited it had been
trimmed improperly.

Now I do not expect First Energy to be responsible for trees planted by the city or residents. That
would be undo hardship on them. But I understand their need to protect their investment, and
keep power going to all.

Which is why I ask the Tree Task Force? Good or Bad?

Merely a question I wanted to know, as do the residents.

One would ask, why anyone would plant massive trees under powerlines.

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