When To Trim Trees
Pepco CEO skeptical of utility's improvement
It is unlikely Pepco will become a top-performing utility at least in the near future, according to the company’s top executive.
“I’d love to get to the first quartile [of utilities],” said Pepco Holdings President and Chairman of the Board Joseph M. Rigby. “Can I get there in some reasonable period of time? I’m not sure.”
Rigby was speaking at a meeting Monday with eight members of the Montgomery County Council, who peppered the executive with questions about tree-trimming practices, the frequency of power outages and plans for improvement.
Rigby angered council members when he told them he does not know how high quality utility service is defined.
“I’d like to understand exactly what that measure means,” Rigby said.
“You ought to be able to quantify what a good utility does and be able to do that,” Councilman Marc Elrich (D-At large) of Takoma Park told Rigby.
Council Vice President Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Potomac agreed.
“I think Pepco’s CEO should know by now how top-performing utilities perform and what it would take for his company to become one,” he said. “This needs to be operational, not aspirational. This isn’t rocket science. This is engineering and infrastructure work. This can be done.”
Pepco distributes electric service to about 302,000 customers in Montgomery County. Montgomery’s elected leaders have complained to the state commission that oversees utilities about extended outages, and the commission now is investigating Pepco’s reliability.
The Public Service Commission has scheduled four days of hearings, which started Thursday.
“I was disappointed that Pepco would not commit to being a top-performing utility,” Berliner said Monday. “Our people deserve no less. And we will demand no less.”
A panel assembled by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) to study Pepco’s service found the utility is the worst electric service provider in the region. Its performance, the report states, steadily has declined since 2004.
Rigby said the company did not make proper investments in infrastructure perhaps leading to the poor performance. He said the utility is committed to making the necessary investments now and improving communication with customers in an effort to bolster their faith in Pepco.
Pepco Region President Thomas H. Graham said on average about 90 percent of power outages are related to trees which is why the company is doing more to trim and remove dead and dying trees. However, he said, there are 400 current removal or trimming projects that county residents have stopped, delayed or modified.
When To Trim Trees - News
If your neighbor refuses to trim trees, can your homeowners association board intervene and send in a professional? If so, can the board bill him for the work? When will the new bill lawmakers passed modifying condo and HOA laws take effect?
Your neighbour just planted a new tree. It blocks your sunlight and, to top it all off, the branches are damaging your house. Can you force him to take down the tree? If he refuses, can you at least trim the branches yourself?
The most recent example was in Poolesville, where Pepco's efforts to cut trees June 9 along protected roads drew criticism from residents. Eventually, Pepco decided to halt tree removals on the county's 97 rustic roads, a zoning designation that

stand-off between residents, local and county officials, the Macomb Orchard Trail Commission, and the power company, which crossed private property to clear-cut trees it said interfered with the operation of its power lines along the trail.
The Alternative High School students worked hard to plant the Monroe trees - and several returned this past spring to trim them and do an annual "checkup," said Barb Grab-ner-Kerns, a Trees Forever field coordinator who helped with the Monroe plantings
Why and When You Should Mulch and Prune Your Trees | ArborServ
Wondering when’s the best time to prune your trees? Unsure as to whether or not you should mulch your trees?
At first glance, trees might seem like such a low-maintenance part of your landscape. Unlike your garden or flower patch, they hardly require any attention at all. And the pay-off is wonderful: for practically no maintenance, your lush green trees add such a unique and picturesque appearance to your home’s landscape.
But examine your trees a little closer. While they might appear to be low maintenance, a healthy tree requires plenty of mulching and pruning to stay healthy and strong in the years to come. Without proper care and maintenance, your trees will be susceptible to diseases and damage. So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to mulch your trees and prune your trees, the answer is a resounding yes!
So if you’re wondering when it’s the right time to mulch your trees, or why you should prune your trees, consider this article to be your basic guide to keeping your trees green and healthy.
Mulching. Mulching your tree is essential to its health, particularly if it’s a young tree. Mulch provides more nutrients to the tree, can improve the soil around it and can also help the tree to maintain more moisture. Aesthetically, mulch can add an attractive appearance to your landscape.
Before you begin mulching, it’s important to pick the right time to apply the mulch. Late spring works well, so consider hiring a landscaper to mulch your trees in May or early June. A professional landscaper or arborist can also ensure that the right materials are used, and the right layer is applied. Too much mulch can actually cause severe damage to your trees, especially younger ones.
Pruning. Pruning is critical to the health and wellness of your tree. Trees can suffer from a number of diseases which start within the branches; additionally, if a dead branch is left on a tree, the damage can spread to the trunk. Regularly pruning your tree keeps it healthy and will help to preserve your tree through the harsh winter months.
If you want to prune your tree, stick to a bi-annual schedule. Arborists recommend pruning your tree during the mid-spring and mid-autumn months, as this will help keep wintertime damage to a minimum. Don’t prune anymore than twice per year, as overpruning can actually kill trees.
DIY pruning can also be hazardous, especially if you’re pruning a large tree. To stay safe and ensure the job’s done professionally, it’s recommended that you hire a professional arborist or landscaper who can take care of the work for you.
If you have a wooden fence that’s behind trees and shrubs, trim vegetation that’s closest to the fence to help it dry quicker when it rains.When To Trim Trees - Bookshelf
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