"TREE" Program

Trimming Reduces Electrical Emergencies  

In an effort to provide the most reliable and efficient electrical service to our customers, we have initiated our TREE Program.  TREE is an intensive professional tree-trimming program will start with target areas where tree growth has caused the most problems.  

At Murfreesboro Electric Department, we understand the beauty and importance of trees in our community.  They provide shade, privacy, and add value to our property.  Unfortunately, most power outages can be attributed to trees being too close to power lines. 

Murfreesboro Electric serves over 40,000 customers who live and work along 515 miles of electric distribution lines.  These are the lines that deliver power to homes, neighborhoods and communities.  We must keep the trees that are located near these power lines pruned on a regular three or four year cycle.  We will trim trees in such a manner as to allow for growth until the trees are scheduled to be trimmed during the next cycle.  We will constantly review and adjust these schedules to keep trees a safe distance from power lines. 

Murfreesboro Electric uses a private contractor, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, to implement our vegetation management techniques and objectives.  They are nationally recognized as a Professional Arboricultural Company.  They must meet and maintain specific guidelines in order to retain the contract on a year-to-year basis.  These guidelines include OSHA Safety Standards, ANSI pruning techniques and other professional standards. 

When it becomes necessary to trim a shade or ornamental tree away from the power lines, the trimming technique most commonly used is one called "Lateral Pruning".  Lateral pruning strives to train the tree to grow away from the wires.  These trimming practices were developed by the U. S. Forest Service and are endorsed by the International Society of Arboriculture as well as tree care professionals across the country.  

A guiding principle of lateral pruning is that 90% of the interfering branches can be removed by making 3 larger cuts within the tree, 90 % of the time.  Our trimmers will look within the tree to determine where these cuts should be made, rather than simply shortening a multitude of branch tips.  Initially, your trees will look different following lateral pruning, but this practice provides the best opportunity for the tree to stay healthy. 

Lateral Pruning means fewer cuts are required to remove the limb at its attachment point within the tree.  While the size of the cut may be larger than was common with tree topping or rounding, fewer cuts mean better wound isolation for the tree.  This translates into less future susceptibility to possible decay organisms. 

Additionally, our crews use the collar cutting method to remove limbs.  This also helps the tree to isolate or "compartmentalize" the trimming cut. 

Services Lines to your Home  

Murfreesboro Electric's trimming practices include the trimming of small branches that are pressing against the service line to your home or business. 

This work is completed at the time we perform routine trimming of our primary distribution lines that feed into your neighborhood.  Customers who desire more frequent trimming may hire a qualified private arborist.  Tree trimming in proximity to overhead lines should be completed by individuals who have been trained to recognize and work near energized lines.  Ask your arborist if their employees receive such training. 

We will also send a qualified tree trimmer to:

• Investigate and remove larger broken limbs that are pressing on your service line,
• Investigate safety concerns caused by trees that are growing into our primary lines, and
• Assess removal requests for diseased or structurally weakened trees that may endanger our primary lines.

If you have a tree on you property that you believe is a hazard, please notify MED at 615-893-5514 or email us. 

Clean Up and Wood Deposal  

Our crews will clean up and chip small branches that we trim from trees in your yard area during our routine trimming operations.  This includes raking the work area to pick up smaller twigs and debris, and to disperse any sawdust.  Larger pieces of wood will be cut into easily handled lengths and hauled off unless customer requests that the wood be left. 

Tree Removal 

In an effort to further improve service and reduce tree-related interruptions, we have our tree removal program along the primary lines supplying your neighborhood.  This effort will target "at risk" trees that have a high probability of falling onto critical sections of our electric distribution network.  We commonly call these "danger trees."  Many trees in our service area have some form of defect that could potentially affect electric reliability. 

Not all trees require immediate attention, nor can all trees realistically be removed.  We focus our efforts on the trees most likely to cause outages.  Since there are many factors that influence the removal of a tree, inspection by the Asplundh foreman will determine whether or not a tree meets the requirements for removal. 

Murfreesboro Electric does not perform tree removals for service lines. 

Storm Damage 

Murfreesboro Electric is responsible for clearing storm-damaged trees from our electric lines and facilities in order to:

• Restore service
• Allow reasonable access for emergency service restorations, or
• Ensure future service reliability

The cleanup of storm debris removed from on or over Murfreesboro Electric's facilities, or to provide emergency access, remains the responsibility of the owner of the tree, whether public or private.  Following major storms the City of Murfreesboro often assists in the cleanup of storm debris. 

Your Safety 

Service reliability is not our only concern in routine trimming.  Our program strives to provide as much clearance as possible between trees and energized overhead lines.  Open visible lines help to protect our workers, customers and private contractors working near these lines by avoiding accidental contact. 

You can further safeguard yourself and your family by:

• Assisting our tree crews by allowing them to complete their work to our clearance specifications.
• Never operating tools or equipment within 10 feet of overhead lines.
• Never building a tree house in trees that are under or near power lines.
• Never allowing children to climb trees near overhead lines.
• Don't plant large growing trees under or near overhead lines.
• Never attempting to trim or remove any tree next to a power line.

Your Protection 

The City of Murfreesboro Urban Environmental Department is active at local and state levels in educating individuals in selecting the right tree for your planting location.  Failure to provide adequate growing space and setback from overhead lines will soon lead to the need for unwanted trimming or removal.  Tall-growing trees planted too close to homes, buildings, and power lines frequently lead to property damage and interruption to public services and power outages during heavy snow, ice and severe wind storms.  For more information about planting the right tree near power lines, Please call the City of Murfreesboro Urban Environmental Department at 615-895-8058. 

Thanks 

Murfreesboro Electric Department appreciates your understanding and cooperation.  Together we can work toward reliable electric service and still enjoy the beauty and value of trees.  If you have any questions concerning our work, please call Murfreesboro Electric at 615-893-5514 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email us.

Forestry Professionals 

The International Society of Arboriculture
PO Box 3129
Champaign, IL  61826-3129
www.treesaregood.com

National Arbor Day Foundation
100 Arbor Ave
Nebraska City, NE  68410
www.arborday.org 

National Arborists Association
PO Box 1094
Amherst, NH  03031
www.natlarb.com 

Tennessee Urban Forestry Council
6820 Cloudland
Nashville, TN  37205
www.tufc.com 

City of Murfreesboro-Urban Environmental Department
351 Overall Road
Murfreesboro, TN  37129
615-895-8059
www.murfreesborotn.gov/government/urban_environ/urban_index.htm