Best Management Practices in Utility Arboriculture

1. Best Management Practices in Utility Arboriculture Janet L. Brown, Project Coordinator PSE Vegetation Management ISA Certified Arborist/Tree Risk Assessor June 13, 2012

2. Perception of the Utility Arborist? 2

3. Today’s Utility Arborist • Promotes professionalism • Has Credentials • Informs the public: what we are doing and why • Uses “Best Management Practices” 3

4. What are “best management practices?” How are they developed? How should they be used?

5. Where We Have Been 5

6. A Shade Tree GuideByALFRED GASKILLState Forester [New Jersey]Published May, 1918 available on Google

7. A Shade Tree Guide by Alfred Gaskill

9. By George BlairChief ForesterConsumers Power Company, Jackson, Michigan

11. NRECA Recommendation (to ~1998) Rural Electric illustration here

12. Have times changed since 1918? One thing remains the same: • Vegetation must be maintained

13. Trees not maintained on cycle will overtake the lines. Recovery may require extensive pruning or tree removal. Stay on cycle

14. Not doing the work can lead to serious consequences…

15. Regulations, Trimming “Rights”, & Utility Standards • The WUTC regulates private, investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Washington.  It is the commission's responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit. • WAC 296-45-045 NESC applicable. (1) All electric utilities and entities operating transmission and distribution facilities within the state of Washington must design, construct, operate, and maintain their lines and equipment according to the requirements of the 2002 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) (ANSI-C2), parts (1), (2), and (3). • NESC states: 218. Tree Trimming 1) Trees that may interfere with ungrounded supply conductorsshouldbe trimmed or removed. Note: Normal tree growth, the combined movement of trees and conductors under adverse weather conditions, voltage, and sagging of conductors at elevated temperatures are among the factors to be considered in determining the extent of trimming required. 2) Where trimming or removal is not practical, the conductor should be separated from the tree with suitable material or devices to avoid conductor damage by abrasion and grounding of the circuit through the tree. • Vegetation Management Standards

16. Utility Pruning Best Management Practices Based on ANSI A300 Part 1 Available from ISA www.isa-arbor.com Describes: Purpose of utility pruning Tools and equipment Pruning cuts Pruning method Tree response Cycle pruning Benefits Role of Tree Growth Regulators “Recovery” pruning Palm pruning Pruning vs. removal Remote/rural locations Emergency service restoration

17. Species characteristics Shape Natural structure Wood strength Growth rate Reaction to pruning Overall tree health Length of time until next pruning All trees are not the same! All trees are not the same! Consider variables such as: 17

18. Rounding over, topping or stubbing damages trees, results in a flush of fast growing sprouts and is now a discredited practice 18

19. “Best Management Practices” How do we apply written guidelines to a living, changing resource that is unique on every site? Every tree is different Every arborist is different Objectives vary Arborists must be professional and able to make good decisions Written standards, best management practices and specifications provide guidelines that protect both the client and the arborist.

20. Directional Pruning vs. Removal/Replacement

21. Some practices are generally superior Some practices are inferior, destructive, or otherwise discredited Often what is the “Best” practice depends on the circumstances Find Common Ground

22. Remember: Best Management Practices are guidelines Every situation is different! Professionals must determine what practice is “best” in any given location!

23. Thank you!