State Tackles Tree-Trimming After Widespread Power Outages
More aggressive vegetation management could help keep lights on, trees off power lines
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, 7 million people were left without electricity -- many of them because more than 100,000 trees around New Jersey fell on power lines.
If the state is going to avert widespread outages during major storms in the future, it needs to be a lot more aggressive about how utilities trim trees. That issue is emerging as a top priority of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Legislature, and the four electric utilities operating franchises across the state.
The state regulatory agency has ordered the utilitiesand its staff to establish a working group to identify an improved tracking system to identify what kind of trees are liable to fall on power lines; whether they are live, diseased or dead; and whether or not they are within the utility’s rights of way.
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Art Vatsky
6:09 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
In my view, Teaneck has had a policy perfectly designed to maximize damage to tree and property. This was not intentional. It was just short-sighted. Look at the photo. Trees in narrow spaces don't get to grow a wide and deep root system. Hence, we have 100 ft trees planted between sidewalk and street. When the tree was first planted it was fine but no longer. Yet, I think the township is doing the same exact thing now. Let's not choke our trees any longer. It's disrespectful to nature. Let's plant smaller types in our narrow spaces and save our bigger trees for places where the soil is strong and wide and deep.
Note: I am hopeful the Shade Tree Committee is advocating for just that but I don't know if the township is taking the advice.