Ohio Edison continues to conduct tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its 36-county service area in Ohio as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance service reliability.
Since the beginning of the year, Ohio Edison contractors have trimmed trees along approximately 1400 miles of distribution lines as part of the company's nearly $29 million vegetation management program for 2015, with an additional 3,100 miles expected to be completed by year end.
"Tree trimming is one of the most important things we do every year to help maintain our electric system," said Randall A. Frame, regional president, Ohio Edison. "The trimming and other vegetation management work we have done over the past several years has made a difference in reducing the number of tree-related outages. When combined with this year's tree trimming, our goal is to further enhance service reliability."
All tree trimming work is conducted by Ohio Edison's certified forestry contractors, including: Asplundh Tree Expert Company; Davey Tree Expert Company; Nelson Tree Service Inc.; Townsend Tree Service; and Wright Tree Service.
As part of its notification process, Ohio Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.
Throughout the year, Ohio Edison will be conducting tree trimming work in the nearly 100 communities, including: Akron, Alliance, Ashland, Barberton, Berlin Center, Brunswick, Campbell, Canal Fulton, Canfield, Dalton, Doylestown, Elyria, Garrettsville, Fairborn, Girard, Green, Hudson, Huron, Kent, London, Lorain, Lowellville, Mantua, Marion, Massillon, Medina, Mt. Gilead, Navarre, North Canton, Norton, Norwalk, Poland, Port Clinton, Ravenna, Rittman, Salem, Sandusky, Sheffield Lake, Stow, Struthers, Tallmadge, Vermilion, Warren, and Youngstown.
The tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. Vegetation is inspected and trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.
