Right-of-Way Vegetation Management

Through a system-wide Integrated Vegetation Management Program, Wayne-White Electric Cooperative is continually working to cost efficiently control trees and brush that grow into power lines, causing outages and inhibiting continuous access to the right-of-way needed for restoration of service after major storms or power outages occur.

The Problem  When trees and power lines tangle, you can expect the power to go out.  The wind blows and branches rub against the electric lines.  Limbs often break and fall onto lines, causing a fuse to blow or a breaker to trip.  Sometimes, the whole tree crashes through, taking down the wire and some poles too.  Tree failures cannot always be predicted.  But many tree-related service interruptions can be avoided by identifying trees likely to fail and providing appropriate treatment before they do.

The Answer  Our reliable, cost efficient right-of-way maintenance program places a focus on 4 specific areas.  They include:  (1)  removal of problem trees and brush, (2) proper, effective pruning of existing trees, (3) a selective herbicide program, and (4) specialized TGR applications (tree growth regulators).  The utility arborists at Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative will be happy to help you with an evaluation of your trees near our power lines.  Our highly-trained crew of utility arborists prune or take down trees that are causing problems like blinking lights, etc.  Our arborists fully understand that the appearance of your trees is important to you.  After all, they have trees of their own.  That's why they follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) tree pruning guidelines.  These guidelines emphasize proper pruning techniques while allowing adequate clearance for the overhead electric lines.

For more information, click on the links below:

Proper Pruning Techniques

Removal of Problem Trees

Selective Herbicide Program

Specialized TGR Applications (Tree Growth Regulators)

Wayne-White Receives National Award from Tree Line USA

Trade-a-Tree Program

Top 10 Myths About Tree Care

Energy for Wildlife--National Wild Turkey Federation

Tree Education Programs

Ask our Certified Arborist:

                            Jim Gifford                          

What is a Certified Arborist?

Certified Arborists are tree care specialists dedicated to excellence in the field of Arboriculture.  They are highly qualified in the care of your valuable trees and shrubs with knowledge of the most up-to-date advances, and proven age-old techniques.  Certified Arborists are widely recognized professionals.  They are educated and trained in:

• Diagnosis and treatment of your tree and shrub related problems.
• Proper pruning and management techniques for your valuable trees & shrubs
• Understanding tree biology
• Identifying and selecting the appropriate trees and shrubs for your landscape.
• Installation and establishment of trees and shrubs to enhance your landscape.
• Understanding the delicate soil and water realtionships which affect tree and shrub health.
• Nutrition requirements and fertilization techniques to keep your trees and shrubs in peak form.
• Recognizing certain tree hazards and construction damage.

The education program does not stop with the initial testing.  A Certified Arborist must keep abreast of new technology. by attending seminars and reviewing the latest publications to obtain necessary continuing education credits.  Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative is blessed to have a Certified Arborist, as well as well-trained crews of utility arborists to successfully implement our vegetation management program within the right-of-way of our 3,324 miles of transmission & distribution lines across the 11-county area.