Vegetation Management

Trees are a valuable asset in commercial, private and public landscapes. They add beauty, help the environment and add value to the property. However, these same trees can be a major challenge for First Electric Cooperative. Trees are one of the major causes of power outages in areas with overhead utility lines. When trees contact live wires they may become conductors of electricity, causing power outages or creating dangerous situations for anyone coming in contact with the trees.

First Electric works hard maintaining its rights of way near overhead lines to provide safe and reliable electrical service. Although we would prefer that no trees are planted within our rights of way with overhead lines, or within ten feet of our underground transformers, you can help by using these guidelines (link to Choosing the right tree) when planting trees near overhead lines. Before you plant, call Arkansas One-Call at least 48 hours in advance (not counting weekends and holidays) to have your underground utilities marked. They can be reached by simply dialing 8-1-1 from your cell phone.

Herbicide

As a part of a regularly scheduled maintenance program, First Electric clears vegetation from its rights of way. As a follow up to this maintenance, the cooperative also returns to apply herbicides to portions of its overhead rights of way that support tall-growing trees and shrubs. This herbicide application is performed with backpack sprayers by licensed and trained applicators. Additionally, our vegetation management personnel closely monitor this work.

The herbicide application process will not affect those Members who have underground electric lines on their property. Also, no herbicides will be applied to lawns, gardens, pastures, croplands or other maintained areas.
Use these links for more information about the herbicides we use:

Arsenal® Herbicide
Accord® Concentrate

Tree Pruning

First Electric’s tree pruning practices conform with the procedures set forth by the American National Standards Institute. These standards require the use of "directional" and "natural pruning " methods (endorsed by the Tree Care Industry Association, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the International Society of Arboriculture).

Natural pruning is the practice of pruning branches back to a natural point of growth in the crown of the tree. Natural pruning is healthier than tree topping, which is the indiscriminate cutting back of tree branches to reduce the size of the tree crown. Although topping generally leaves the tree with a more balanced appearance, the International Society of Arboriculture calls topping "perhaps the most harmful pruning practice known." Topping stresses trees, makes them more vulnerable to insect and disease infections, and leads to decay. By planting trees and shrubs away from power lines, you can help eliminate the need for pruning in the future.

Directional pruning removes only those branches that conflict with the power lines. Instead of cutting the limbs back to unnatural stubs, branches are pruned back to the trunk or parent branch where trees normally shed them. V-pruning and side pruning are the two main variations of directional pruning. Trees may look a bit different after directional pruning.


Choosing the Right Tree



When selecting trees to plant on your property, you should consider the mature height of the tree when determining a suitable planting location. Native species will often grow better with fewer insect and disease problems than nonnative trees. For areas near houses and overhead utilities, there are three tree height zones, as follows:
  • Low: The low height zone extends 15 feet on either side of overhead wires. Plant only large shrubs and small trees with mature heights of 20 feet or less within this area.
  • Medium: To accommodate the width of taller trees, the medium height zone begins at least 15 feet from all utility lines. Select trees that grow 40 feet or less for planting within this zone.
  • Tall: The tall height zone begins at least 35 feet from buildings and 65 feet from utility lines. Trees that grow taller than 40 feet are suitable for planting in this area.
Before you plant, call Arkansas One-Call at least 48 hours in advance (not counting weekends and holidays) to have your underground utilities marked. They can be reached by simply dialing 8-1-1 from your cell phone.