Mayfield Electric & Water Systems recognizes and appreciates that trees
are valuable assets to our customers' landscapes and to the quality of life in
our area. However, this must be balanced with the constant threat to our
customers' electric service posed by trees. In
addition to outages, downed wires threaten the safety of people and animals
and increase the cost of providing utility service.
Public safety, reliable
service, and cost control are all important to us. That is why MEWS maintains a
program of tree trimming and removal. Tree crews operate nearly
year round to clear the lines to reduce tree related outages and to expedite
service restoration during storms.
There are
several issues that we are often questioned about concerning tree trimming
activities.
Reasons for Trimming
Trees must be trimmed to prevent contact between lines and
tree limbs shorting out and causing outages. "Climbable" trees
near the lines must also be trimmed on a regular basis to prevent children
from climbing the trees and coming into contact with the conductors. Limbs
overhanging primary lines must be pruned because they fall on the lines during
storms and cause extensive outages. Backlot lines and rural
rights-of-way need to be cleared or bushhogged to provide access for crews
performing routine maintenance on the system or for service restoration in
emergencies. Poles need to be clear of brush and trees so that linemen
may safely climb them to perform their jobs.
Method of Trimming
Mayfield Electric & Water Systems uses only
"lateral" or "natural" tree trimming methods according to
ANSI A-300 standards. This is the voluntary standard for all tree work
in the United States.
Lateral trimming means that limbs are removed at their nearest
main branch or to the trunk of the tree, and not simply cut to a
"stub." MEWS does not top trees unless it is absolutely
necessary. We also do not "round-over" trees.
Lateral tree trimming has been endorsed by industry experts
including The National Arbor Day Foundation
and The International Society of
Arboriculture as the best method of line clearance for the health of the
trees. Although some trees’ appearance may be considered unusual after
the initial trim, it quickly improves with time and growing seasons.
Trees that have been lateral trimmed for three or more cycles (10 years) are
considerably healthier than their counterparts that have been
"rounded-over" or "shaped."
Amount of Clearance
In all situations, trees near primary lines should be trimmed
before they actually touch the lines and enough clearance must be obtained so
that the trees do not grow back into the lines before the crews make the cycle
and trim them again. The exact amount of clearance obtained at any given
site varies considerably and is dependent on the voltage and construction of
the line, the sagging of the conductors at elevated temperatures, the combined
movement of the lines and trees during adverse weather conditions, the normal
re-growth of the species of tree involved, and the position of the tree in
relation to the lines.
Tree Removal
Mayfield Electric & Water Systems will remove trees
that are directly beneath the lines or so close to the lines that they require
severe trimming. The limbs will be chipped and hauled away and the trunk
and larger limbs will be cut to whatever length the trees’ owner
desires. The wood will not be split or hauled away.
Trees along the edge of the right-of-way that are severely
leaning, dead, decayed, or otherwise hazardous to the lines may be
removed. MEWS reserves the right to refuse to remove any tree which in
its judgment can be safely removed by a private tree worker with no damage to
our lines.
Services and Private Lights
Trimming for services to residences and private lights as well
as trimming for light pattern is the responsibility of the customer. We
will trim your service if you request it while we are routine trimming in your
area. The service will only be cleared of touching branches and neither
trees or large limbs over the service will be removed.
If you or a private tree worker hired by you feel that it is
unsafe to work close to the service, then call our main office during regular
business hours to schedule a lineman disconnect your service and re-install it
after the tree work is complete. There is no charge for this.
Trees or limbs that are broken onto the services during storms will be cut off
by MEWS, or the service may simply be re-installed over the tree, depending on
the conditions.
Debris Disposal
Slash from line clearing operations in wooded areas may be
left on the ground or mulched with a bushhog. In and adjacent to
maintained areas the debris will either be chipped or mulched with a bushhog.
Debris in lawns will be chipped and hauled away. Debris generated as a result
of storms and storm restoration is not cleaned up by MEWS.
If you would like to have some of these chips for mulch or
compost, MEWS is currently working in conjunction with the Mayfield Public
Works Department to offer these chips during specific times. ***********
The chips may attract bees or insects during warm weather and
they may stain sidewalks or driveways if they are left on them for an extended
period. The chips should also be allowed to decay for several months
before the are used as mulch or they may cause sensitive plants to turn yellow
temporarily.
Lateral Trimming
Lateral trimming is a technique whereby limbs are removed at a
parent branch or at a lateral branch large enough to assume the terminal role.
Limbs growing into the utility space are removed and those limbs growing away
from or parallel to the conductors remain. Wherever possible, the trees
are allowed to achieve their normal mature height with crown development away
from the conductors. Limbs are removed to crotches within the crown of
the tree and if more than 50% of the foliage of a limb must be removed, then
it is removed in its entirety.
Severe crown reduction practices are only used with trees
located directly beneath the conductors. MEWS does not top, tip, or
roundover trees. These techniques have many cuts between nodes which
results in damage to the trees’ health and encourages prolific sprouting.
These trimming techniques give some trees an unusual
appearance when viewed from the side. The trees are viewed from one pole
to the next. When viewing the tree from the house or the street, it will
have the a normal shape and size of crown for that species of tree.
Contact Information
- Electrical Operations GIS/GPS Manager
- Mike Hodges
- Telephone
- 270-247-4661
- FAX
- 270-247-0550
- Postal address
- 301 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
- Electronic mail
- mhodges@mayfieldews.com
Top of Page | 
