Painted Trees
April 7, 2009 by Dave
Filed under Uncategorized
Recently I came home and found that someone had vandalized some of the trees in our front yard. The culprit used a fluorescent blue spray paint and left an unusual series of X’s and O’s on the trunks of the trees. Not only was our property attacked, but so were many of our neighbors.
This type of action is certainly unacceptable in my opinion. When I confronted the culprit, they were unremorseful. DTE, the local power company had come through and marked certain trees for trimming. Although from past experience, I know they don’t trim, they lop.
I understand their desire and the need to maintain their lines from possible storm damage and power outages. They claim the right to trim all growth within 10 feet of their lines in any direction. To me, that seems extreme.
Every morning as I pull out of our drive, I notice the blue paint on our old hemlock that they left some two years ago, and now refreshed.
It seems as if they could use some sort of a mark that is a little less ‘in your face’ and a little less defacing.
I wonder how they would feel if I sprayed their poles or one of their towers with a big blue X.
Pretty much sum it up with cost. The marks need to be apparent since the crews are under tight time constraints to get in and get out and on to the next job. This work is all bid out to give us the customers the best possible value in our electric bills. If the tree is not clearly marked they will miss some.
Regarding distance from the lines to the trees again it comes down to cost. If you reduced the distance you referred to from 10 feet to 5 feet then they would have to come back twice as often so you can add that cost right on top of what you are already paying for your electric bill. When you consider how many electric lines there are to maintain 10 feet is a very reasonable number.
What is the value of a linemans life? If we cut all the trees back so not one tree could ever fall on a line we would never lose a single lineman life due to a storm related tree incident. Seems to me the ten foot number ought to be increased, not decreased.
Ed, Thanks for your comments.
Every morning I notice years worth of blue spray paint on our trees. I wonder why they do not use surveyor’s ribbons as markers. Those could be removed as the work is done.
I also wonder if there are different requirements for different type of lines. I agree with the maintance and safety issues, I am glad I don’t make those determinations. Be safe.