Tree Pruning Improves Services for All

We are fortunate to have so many trees offering beauty, shade, and a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Benton REA strives to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings with a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-of-way.

A right-of-way is the land Benton REA uses to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights-of-way enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder power line installation, maintenance or operation. They are typically on public lands or located near a business or home.

Benton REA must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the right-of-way. The goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.

Safety

First and foremost, Benton REA cares about our members and puts their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines.

If trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, it can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc from a power line to conductive material such as a nearby tree.

A proactive management approach also reduces the potential for fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make restoring power more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers.

Reliability

One of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability.

Strategic tree pruning reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability.

Benton REA is a part of the Tree Line USA program. The co-op provides training in quality tree care, annual safety training for the tree crews, public education, tree-based energy conservation information and coordinates with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in the community.

Affordability

Benton REA is a not-for-profit cooperative, meaning we strive to keep costs in check to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management.

If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree pruning and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.

Our community is a special place. Benton REA appreciates the beauty trees provide, but also knows the community depends on reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of the grid.

To learn more about Benton REA’s tree programs, visit BentonREA.org/outages-and-safety/tree-pruning-and-planting or type “tree” in the search bar.