NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. -- Clinton Utilities Board has been named a Tree
Line USA utility by The National Arbor Day Foundation.
The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in
cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and recognizes
utilities that meet three requirements: a program of quality tree care,
annual worker training in quality tree care practices, and a tree planting and
public education program.
"Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our towns and cities,
and provide many environmental and economic benefits. Trees make our
communities more livable, increase property values, and help clean the air, "
John Rosenow, The National Arbor Day Foundation's president, said. "And
trees conserve energy, which is especially important to utilities as peak
demand is reduced."
"The commitment of the Tree Line USA utilities to protect community trees
while providing reliable service not only helps to provide beautiful trees for
the future, but also results in long-term operational savings for the
utility," Rosenow said.
"Reforming the outdated line-clearance practice of mutilating trees by
topping is a major objective of Tree Line USA," Rosenow said. "Natural
pruning which trains trees to grow around the wires and retain more of their
natural form is better for the health of the trees and improves their
appearance. Natural pruning also saves money for the utilities, because
it has to be done less frequently than topping."
Ninety-seven Tree Line USA utilities serving a combined total of over 62
million households will be recognized during the Arbor Day Foundation's Trees
and Utilities National Conference at Arbor Day Farm's Lied Lodge & Conference
Center in Nebraska City. The March 11-13 conference, cosponsored by the
Utility Arborist Association, brings together utility professionals, foresters,
and concerned citizens from across the nation to work together toward the goal
of dependable utility service and healthy, beautiful community trees.
Tree Line USAs include both investor-owned and public utilities. They
have demonstrated a creative commitment to public education, tree planting ,
and quality tree care. One utility contributes to the cost of planting
two trees along streets or on other public property for every one that must be
removed because of poor health, undesirability of species or frequent problems
with lines. Another, which carries out annual worker training about
proper pruning practices to meet the Tree Line USA requirements, also invites
the public to participate in the training program to extend tree knowledge
throughout the community.
"As deregulation has an increasing impact on the structure of utilities
throughout America, it is hoped that high quality professional tree care will
be at the forefront of both community and company concerns," Rosenow said.
The National Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit education organization, is
dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship.
