Tree & Power Line Services
The right-of-way ecosystem is important to Cuivre River Electric Cooperative. Our tree management program is founded on sound environmental and tree care practices. For more information, please contact one of our offices by phone or in person, or contact Scott Skopec, CREC Supervisor of Right of Way Maintenance, sskopec@cuivre.com, 1-800-392-3709.
Reliability
Trees are valuable community assets. Reliable electric service is a necessity in our daily lives - and can be critical in emergency situations. Unfortunately, trees and reliable electric service are not always compatible. During extreme weather such as high winds or ice storms, tree limbs near power lines cause power outages.
Clearance Standards
Research shows that many species of trees can grow 15 feet or more in a five year period. CREC’s right-of-way maintenance program strives to remove or prune trees every five years to obtain a 30 foot wide path on the right of way below nearly 3,000 miles of overhead power lines.
Pruning Standards
To keep trees healthy, CREC uses specialists trained according to the most up-to-date tree care standards. Pruning cuts are made at a branch fork that allows the cuts to callus over quickly with new bark. This method greatly reduces the risk of insect or disease damage and minimizes branch regrowth into the power lines.
Member Notification
For CREC to maintain reliable and safe electric lines, permission to prune is not required. However, during routine maintenance a courtesy post card will be mailed to your home, or a CREC representative will leave a door hanger. Large trees growing very near or under a power line should be removed. Trees and bushes which restrict access to utility poles should also be removed. If possible, a CREC representative will notify you before removing a yard tree or previously trimmed tree unless we encounter a dangerous or emergency situation.
Community Service
At CREC building positive partnerships with the communities we serve is important. That’s why we work hard to communicate our Tree Management practices to schools, homeowner groups and individuals, and to support community tree projects.
Tree Line USA®The Tree Line USA® program is sponsored by The Arbor Day Foundation™ in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America's urban forests.
Plant The Right Tree In The Right Place Every species of tree has different height, width and spacing needs to ensure its growth into a healthy mature tree. Carefully matching tree selection with site conditions - proximity to other trees, buildings or above ground utilities - can prevent problems before they occur.
The Missouri Department of Conservation provides guidelines for planting trees and recommendations of tree species to fit your needs. Trees are a long-term investment. You have the ability to prevent future problems by applying the practice of "the right tree in the right place."
Cuivre River recommends using the following graph to properly identify the proper places for planting trees around your home.
What is Tree Topping?
The Missouri Community Forestry Council defines tree topping as the drastic removal, or cutting back, of large branches in mature trees. This practice leaves large open wounds which subject the tree to disease and decay. Topping causes immediate injury to the tree and can ultimately result in early death of the tree.
At CREC, we agree with experts who oppose Tree Topping. Our goal is to cut and trim only the trees necessary to maintain reliable service for all our members and to use methods that preserve the health of the trees.