Detroit Edison Announces Tree-Trimming Schedule

Line clearance program improves electric service reliability 


DETROIT, March 6  /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Edison line-clearance crews will be working in 42 Southeastern Michigan communities in March and April, continuing their year-round effort to maintain service reliability by keeping trees and branches away from power lines.

"We trim trees for two very important reasons - to ensure our customers have dependable electric service and to prevent safety hazards," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution Operations.  "By maintaining a 10-foot clearance between tree branches and our power lines, we can significantly reduce tree-related power outages."

Tree interference is responsible for about two-thirds of the power outages that occur during storms.  That's why Detroit Edison employs more than 500 professional tree trimmers to maintain the estimated 3.5 million trees in its service territory.

The company's tree-trimming crews follow International Society of Arboriculture standards to maintain the health of trees. The company has received the National Tree Line USA Award for quality tree care for 14 consecutive years.

"Our goals are to keep customers' trees alive, healthy and out of harm's way," explained Dow.  "The directional pruning method we use removes only the branches that pose a threat to power lines, and helps ensure that future growth is directed away from power lines.  After we trim, trees are less susceptible to disease and insect problems, and because they're stronger, they're more resistant to high winds and heavy ice."

Detroit Edison removes from customer property the small branches and debris that result from its tree trimming work.  Larger trimmed branches are cut into firewood length and left behind for customer use or disposal.  Detroit Edison will not, however, remove diseased tree debris.

Debris caused by a severe storm also is not removed.  In the aftermath of a storm, Detroit Edison crews must work quickly to remove downed wire hazards and restore power to thousands of customers.  They will cut broken and uprooted trees in order to reach locations that need repair.  In such emergency situations, customers are advised to contact their local Department of Public Works, trash collector or a professional tree-removal company for advice on disposing of debris.

Customers are responsible for keeping tree branches away from their service drops, the lines that run from utility poles to their homes. Although the voltage running through the service drop is significantly lower than that of pole-to-pole wires, Detroit Edison recommends that customers hire a professional tree service to do this trimming. Visit my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance to find more information about line clearance and proper tree planting.

In March and April, line-clearance crews will continue or begin work in the following communities:

  Huron County
  Bad Axe
  Caseville
  Caseville Township
  Colfax Township
  Lake Township
  Verona Township

  Ingham County
  Stockbridge Township
  White Oak Township

  Lapeer County
  Burnside Township
  Columbiaville
  Goodland Township
  Lapeer
  Lapeer Township
  Mayfield Township
  Oregon Township

  Livingston County
  Genoa Township

  Macomb County
  Romeo
  Roseville
  St. Clair Shores
  Sterling Heights
  Warren

  Oakland County
  Berkley
  Clarkston
  Farmington Hills
  Highland Township
  Orion Township
  Rochester Hills
  Southfield

  St. Clair County
  Lynn Township
  Port Huron

  Sanilac County
  Flynn Township
  Speaker Township

  Tuscola County
  Akron Township
  Unionville

  Washtenaw County
  Ann Arbor
  Ypsilanti Township

  Wayne County
  Brownstown Township
  Detroit
  Huron Township
  Livonia
  Taylor
  Trenton


DATASOURCE: Detroit Edison



CONTACT:  Eileen Dixon, [phone], or Len Singer, [phone],

both of Detroit Edison



Web Site:  http://www.my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance 

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