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Electric Company and Trees

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Started 3 years ago by chrisgillespie
Latest reply from chrisgillespie

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trees

chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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OK. So, the electric company just stopped by my house, and asked to get into my backyard to mark my honey locust. Apparently, they are going to be installing some new lines, and are going to remove some branches from my tree to do that. I'm a little worried. I have my trees professionally pruned by Joe Russell Tree Experts every year. The honey locust is the oldest and largest tree in my backyard. Yes, the lines go through the tree, but the tree has been pruned to avoid the lines while preserving the tree's shape. I can understand they may have guidelines for clearance when they are running new lines, but I'm concerned these guys are going to hack the shit out of my tree. Anyone have any experience with the electric company tree pruners? Can I go out there when they arrive, and insist on placement of cuts, or do I just have to try to reshape the tree after their visit? Is there anything I can do before hand to be sure their work will be healthy to the tree and aesthetically satisfactory? I don't even know exactly when they will be coming.

Posted 3 years ago #
sixby9is42

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Is it AEP? Try calling customer service (1-800-277-2177), can't hurt to try.

Posted 3 years ago #
Nitsud Regnifloh
Valerio Heights
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I close on a house on the 26th of this month and the trees and wires have clearly been neglected there. i just got off the phone with AEP - very helpful. i agree with sixby - give them a call.

Posted 3 years ago #
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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I'll do that. I think I was just a little panicked because the request came unexpected, and some statements the man made (off-handed) worried me. I'm a pretty direct person, but I just got a little confused. I'm recentered, now. Man, I hope we're able to work something out. If not, hmmm..., well I may have a sunny spot just outside the garage for a butterfly garden soon (although more sun on the understory hemlock might spell it's doom, too)! Thanks for the feedback....

Posted 3 years ago #
kessler
Georgian Heights
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I hope you have much better luck then we have had on the Westside. They did the whole street basically, they seem to have eyeballed the line and the tree and cut the trees off just below the lines. The tops are all jagged and look awful.
I wish my camera worked to share a pic. But it would only frighten you.
I guess the silver lining is now no windstorm will cause any of the trees on our block to fall into the lines. ;-/

Posted 3 years ago #
karenS
UA/Hilliard Area
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electric company tree pruners = oxymoron, emphasis on moron

Posted 3 years ago #
samtastic

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coming from someone that use to work for a professional tree care company, and with many of our climbers being former electric company employees, they can do whatever they want to your tree. even if it means butchering it.

now on the other hand, most of these guys are pretty laid back and if your nice to them and toss them a few bottles of water and ask them to keep it lookign good for you, they probably will.

if they really are jerks tho..and you get desperate..slip the climber a 20..youll be golden.

im just sayin.

Posted 3 years ago #
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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I'll keep the treats and money option open. I'm pretty easy to work for: I actually do offer beverages and am known to tip contractors (my brother is a contractor, and I have sympathy for them -- but also, I have been lucky to get the most amazing guys to work for me, and I just want to do this for them). However, these guys aren't working FOR me. I'll try my usual cooperativeness, and see if it helps. I fear for this tree, though, because of the placement of the existing lines at a point that, if they insist, may essentially mean removal of the tree (if they just leave what I fear, I may remove the rest). I really hope not, since that will change the nature of light and air in my yard dramatically, and since the hemlock grew up next to that tree, may kill it, too. I'll see what I can do -- but I'm thinking odds are I'm going to end up with a bit more sun in parts of my yard (be careful what you wish for)...

Posted 3 years ago #
frozen twinkies

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Bottled water is a nice idea. The can get fired for taking a twenty.

I have had them out to my place on request and they were quite accomidating of my requests. These are not the same guys who go down a street cutting a swath for the power lines.

Now is a good time to have it trimmed. The tree is still dormant and should recover nicely.

Posted 3 years ago #
Matthew
Hilltop
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I understand the fear with this. Shortly after closing here someone painted yellow lines all over our parking lot out back. The gas company admits that they spray yellow lines, yet denied spraying these. I was informed that if it is gas company they are allowed to dig up whatever, whenever. Nothing ever came of it, and admittedly it annoyed us that any utility would spray paint our property like that without notifying us first.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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for some reason when I clicked on this thread I thought you guys were discussing something else...

Posted 3 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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Matthew wrote >>
I understand the fear with this. Shortly after closing here someone painted yellow lines all over our parking lot out back. The gas company admits that they spray yellow lines, yet denied spraying these. I was informed that if it is gas company they are allowed to dig up whatever, whenever. Nothing ever came of it, and admittedly it annoyed us that any utility would spray paint our property like that without notifying us first.

Sounds like one of the utility marking services. Yellow is "gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous materials".

The problem is that if someone calls OUPS (Call before digging!!) the utilities are notified to put out marks. Most of them subcontract. So the gas company calls their utility marking contractor. Sometimes these guys mark the wrong addresses. I had one of them call me once telling me that I had asked him to mark in the scioto river. I told him "a) you have the wrong location, and b) THAT DIG WAS 2 WEEKS AGO so thanks for nothing".

So, yeah, the gas company may very well have no record that one of their contract marking services marked your property by accident.

Given how much trouble I've had with the marking services I'm not surprised there are so many gas lines hit. Another one today: http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/traffic/article/high_street_closed_after_gas_main_break/13958/

Posted 3 years ago #
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
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Hey, I love turning Honey Locust, (did you know its a member of the Legume Family? Its more closely related to a garden pea and redbud, than it is to a maple :))

Save me a few pieces, it holds onto its bark tightly and makes GREAT natural edge bowls as seen here.

I'll make you one in return.

That being said, the power company has their power lines (not your trees) in their best interest.

Posted 3 years ago #
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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As long as they do this when I am home, I'll save any large pieces for you. Makes me feel not so bad, if you make some beautiful turnings out of this. I'll keep you posted.

Posted 3 years ago #
Lanibug65
displaced
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sorry to tell you but they trimmers for the electric company can pretty much do what they want to keep the electric lines safe -- the lines cannot be touching the tree, because if they are, the tree can become electrified and cause a harm -- this is why you will often see trees that look like someone took an ice cream scoop out of it -- yes, if you talk nice, they will do their best - but they are trying to protect you and themselves, and the electric company from being hurt in the future --

Posted 3 years ago #
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
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The lines are not currently bothered by the trees. My arborist sees that my trees don't cause issues for power lines or other structures. In fact, the trimming of dead wood and weak limbs is so good that I didn't even have limbs down because of Ike or the wind storm. This is a special issue because they are replacing the lines, and they are clearing a wider swath for that project. A tree across the alley was also marked with blue paint, and it's not in the lines at all.

Posted 3 years ago #