AMHERST — Removal of trees and trimming of branches along 14 miles of Amherst roads by Eversource is expected to be completed by the end of the year, part of an effort to reduce tree-related power outages and improve electric reliability.
Eversource arborists, vegetation management professionals and qualified tree crews are handling the work, identifiying weak, diseased and hazardous trees along town roads before they cause problems.
“While we all love our trees, we have seen firsthand the damage they can cause to the electric system,” Christopher Gonzalez, Eversource’s vegetation management manager said in a statement. “Our comprehensive and consistent tree trimming program helps to improve day-to-day reliability during all types of weather, and we continue to see fewer power outages where this work has been done. That’s why this work is so vital.”
Such work is supported by Tree Warden Alan Snow, who, in a video created by Eversource, said he is grateful because no community has the resources to manage all the risk from trees, especially those that are in decline.
“We work closely with their arborists to identify risk trees along the public way,” Snow said. ““When our tree crews can’t get hazard trees down because of their proximity to the wires, Eversource will step up and remove those trees for the town.”
In addition, the Emerald Ash Borer infestation is causing a loss of ash trees, maple trees are in decline and other trees are dying along the roads, Snow said.
Eversource crews recently did work on Strong Street near the Wildwood School, and will also be on Middle Street, West Street, Military Road, Bay Road and Potwine Lane.
Homeowners are responsible for tree maintenance on their own property, including keeping branches away from the lower-voltage service wires connecting their homes and businesses to the main utility lines.
While there is always concern about losing portions of the tree canopy, Eversource spokeswoman Priscilla Ress said outreach is done to homeowners and others to explain what is happening, and how they can ensure the trees on their properties don’t interfere with utility lines.
“We also have educational partnerships with arborists, municipalities, students and the public about planting the right tree in the right place,” Ress said. That is known as the “Thirty Under Thirty” that includes 30 recommendations for trees to plant that grow under 30 feet and are safe to plant near electrical equipment.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
