Customer Care
Tree Talk
Did you know that trees can help
improve your safety and electric
reliability? This booklet will help you
select the best trees for your home,
and provide tips
about their
maintenance and
how you can keep
them healthy.
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1
Tree Talk
LIPA’s Forestry Program
What is Line Clearance?
Trees that interfere with electric wires can cause serious problems. They are the number one cause of power outages – particularly in storms – and can cause surges, fires, injury to people, and damage to property. Serious injury or death can result
from children or adults climbing trees and coming in contact
with electric wires. LIPA’s Line Clearance Program trims tree
branches away from electric wires, helps ensure public safety,
minimizes electrical interruptions and outages, and limits
damage from severe storms. It also provides a zone of safety in
which line workers can do their jobs.
LIPA’s Tree Management Professionals
LIPA hires professional crews who follow standards developed
and approved by arboricultural societies and national safety
agencies to perform line clearance work. These methods may
result in trees having un-natural appearances, but they also preserve the health of the trees and keep tree branches safely away
from electric wires.
Will LIPA trim all trees?
No, LIPA only clears tree limbs that threaten our electric wires.
It is important to be able to distinguish between LIPA’s wires
and telephone or cable TV (CATV) wires. The following picture illustrates where LIPA’s wires are typically located. If you
should ever come across a downed wire, call the police and
LIPA immediately. Do not attempt to determine if it is an electric, telephone, or CATV wire. For safety’s sake, assume that it
is a live electric wire. NEVER touch or try to move these wires
yourself.
Customer Care
LIPA Primary
Electric Line
(13,200 Volts)
LIPA Secondary
Electric Line
(120/240 Volts)
LIPA Service
Wire
(120/240
Cable TV (CATV) Lines
Telephones
Lines
What is “Directional”Pruning?
When we trim a tree near your home or business, the technique
most commonly used is one called “directional trimming.”
Directional trimming strives to train the tree to grow away from
and around the wires. These trimming practices were developed
by the U.S. Forest Service and are endorsed by the International
Society of Arborculture as well as tree care professionals across
the country.
Initially, your trees will look different following directional
trimming, but this practice provides the best opportunity
for the tree to stay healthy.
Directional Pruning
Through Pruning
Side Pruning
Under Pruning
Who will remove the debris?
We will remove the debris that results from our regularly
scheduled line clearance program. However, when responding to emergencies or customer requested work the debris is
the responsibility of the tree owner.
Line Clearance One Circuit at a Time
Our Line Clearance Program focuses on trimming trees
along an entire electrical circuit, which can be several miles
long. Circuits that experience the most outages are handled
first. This is our most effective way of reducing outages to a
majority of customers. Line clearance work is performed all
year long.
Individual Requests
LIPA’s response to individual line clearance requests is limited to EMERGENCIES ONLY. For example, call us right away
at 1-800-490-0075 if a broken tree limb is actually leaning
heavily on a LIPA wire or has caused a wire to come down.
TYPES OF CUTS
PROPER COLLAR CUT
Branch
Collar
2 Cuts/
Break
Final Cut
PROPER LATERAL CUT
Second Cut
First Cut
Final Cut
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Proper Planting Information
While retaining normal plant
shape, thin interior branches
and foliage and remove
crossing or parallel branches.
Do not trim back main
central leader.
Most trees do not require
staking. If required for protection or
stability, use tree strapping or hose
covered wire. Leave 1” space between
hose and all sides of trees. (Remove
after 1 year).
Tree should be put into
ground with root flare
1” above soil grade to
allow for settling.
Spread 2-4” of mulch
(aged wood chips, shredded
bark, etc.) uniformly over
disturbed soil.
Backfill with existing top soil or a
soil mixture consisting of four
parts by volume of soil mixed
with one part of peat moss or
composted organic material. Do
not compact soil around root ball
except at very bottom of root ball
for stability.
• Water thoroughly after planting. During dry periods oc
within the first year of planting, soak the planting hole
• Fertilize only in special circumstances if recommended
Proper planting is critical for
proper root development and
tree growth.
Always pick up tree by
container or root ball.
Transit trunk guards
(remove after planting).
Hardwood stakes 2” x 2”, two
or more per tree, if required
(remove after 1 year).
Cut and remove burlap from upper
1/3 of ball. Remove all synthetic
string and synthetic fabric. Remove
upper 1/2 of wire basket.
Use 3” mound of earth over
ball (to retain water).
Slope sides outward to
3 times diameter of
root ball.
Hole diameter should be at
least twice the diameter of
root ball. Dig hole no deeper
than the depth of the ball.
Firm undisturbed soil.
curring
once a week.
by your nursery professional.
8
Tree Talk
Thoughtful Tree Planting
If you are thinking about planting new trees around your
home, being mindful of the type, location and eventual height
of the trees you choose is another way to improve safety and
electric reliability. In fact, this is LIPA’s preferred, long-term
solution to trees interfering with electric wires.
Plant the right tree in the right place
Different trees have different mature heights. By paying
special attention to where you plant each tree, you can
enhance the value of your property, save energy costs and
prevent costly maintenance trimming or potential damage
to your home. Good landscaping uses shrubs and lowgrowing trees that are compatible with LIPA’s overhead &
underground electric lines. These “wire-friendly” trees will
not reach electric lines and, therefore, help prevent power
interruptions to you and your neighbors.
Trees that grow 20 to 35 feet
This region ends 15 feet away from electric utility wires.
Appropriate trees for planting in this location include Amur
Maples, Hedge Maples, Serviceberries, Flowering
Crabapples, Kousa Dogwoods, Star Magnolias, Goldenrain
Trees, Flowering Cherry Trees, Japanese Tree Lilacs, and
Cleveland Select Callery Pears.
45 ft.
or less
Tree
Pruning
Zone
35 ft.
or less
15 ft.
15 ft.
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Customer Care
Trees that grow 35 to 60 feet
This section takes in mostly lawn area. Decorate or frame
your house instead of hiding it from sight. Select mediumsized trees like Green Ash, Thornless Honey Locust, Tupelo,
Sawtooth Oak, Willow Oak, English Oak, Littleleaf Linden,
Chinese Elm and Japanese Zelkova.
Trees that grow to 60 to 100 feet
You can use larger types of trees here; however, the tree planting should consider your neighbor’s view or their own planting of flowerbeds and trees. Plant large trees at least 35 feet
away from the house for proper root development and to
minimize tree damage to the house or building. Tall trees
include London Planetree, Northern Red Oak and Silver
Linden.
Using trees to keep your home more
comfortable and save energy
According to the U.S. Department of Energy,“carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of household energy consumption for heating and cooling.” Place deciduous (leaf
dropping) trees on the east, west and north west side of the
house. They’ll help keep your home cool in the summer and
allow the rays of the sun to warm the house in the winter.
Always be sure to shade air conditioning units. When possible plant evergreen trees on the windward side of your home
to serve as protection from the cold winter winds. Your
local nursery will be happy to help you make the correct
decision when selecting trees, shrubs and plants that will
enhance your property.Bring a plot plan with you when
shopping for new trees.
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Tree Talk
Be on the Alert for the Asian
Longhorned Beetle
The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a significant pest to trees.
Look for trees damaged by beetles. Damage includes entry
and exit wounds, often with sap flowing out of the trunks or
branches and sawdust piled up at the bases of trees. For
positive identification, please contact New York State Dept.
of Agriculture & Markets at 631-288-1751.
Asian
Longhorned
Beetle
(actual size)
Look for damage caused
by Asian Longhorned
beetles—
1/2” well defined holes and
sawdust at base of tree.
Customer Care
Call Before You Dig
It is extremely important that you survey your property
before you start planting, or begin a construction project
that involves digging, drilling or excavating. Make sure you
know the location of any underground utilities that may be
buried. To help you locate these facilities, we recommend
you call the national "Call Before You Dig" number, 811, at
least two working days ahead of time. If necessary, the location of pipes or cables will be marked for you free of charge.
Please remind any contractors you may hire that they are
obligated by law to call before excavating.
LIPA is recognized for its Forestry Programs
LIPA has been named a Tree Line USA utility by the
National Arbor Day Foundation and the National
Association of State Foresters. LIPA was the first
electric utility in New York State to achieve this
distinction. The Tree Line USA Award recognizes
utilities that meet three requirements: a program of
quality tree care, annual worker training, and public
education. Better tree care by Tree Line USA utilities
means beautiful trees for the future and savings for
the customer.
LIPA Customer Service
1-800-490-0025
www.lipower.org
www.lipower.org
1-800-490-0025
Kevin S. Law
President & CEO
Printed on Long Island using recycled paper
FC 11212
3/08