Effectively managing incompatible trees throughout utility rights-of-way is a primary objective of vegetation management programs throughout the United States. Countless tree species pose a threat to grow or fall into power lines, posing the risk of lapses in electrical transmission service, wildfires and potential fines under regulations enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Luckily, there are several ways for vegetation managers to control problematic trees. However, certain strategies provide more beneficial results than others.
Mechanical Control Methods
Simply cutting a tree down or mechanically trimming problematic limbs may seem like a suitable solution for utility vegetation managers. However, these mechanical control methods can lead to additional risk factors that need to be considered. For one, mechanical cutting can present safety hazards for tree crews working in unstable or hard-to-reach areas. This approach to managing incompatible trees is also time-consuming and particularly expensive. To make matters worse, mechanical cutting actually stimulates regrowth, which leads to continuous maintenance requirements and increased costs over time. Alternatively, selective herbicide applications can be used to impede the growth of tree limbs that threaten service reliability and potentially impact utility infrastructure.
Chemical Side-trim Applications
When used correctly, certain herbicides can stop the growth of treated limbs or branches without controlling the rest of the tree. By only managing select sections of trees that pose a threat, vegetation managers can reduce maintenance costs and public scrutiny while achieving optimum vegetation control that keeps land along ROW corridors safe and aesthetically pleasing.