Overview
Watch this video to learn more about
PSE's vegetation management program.
(1.84 MB WMV)
The Pacific Northwest is known for its abundant trees in both rural and urban settings. Trees provide our region with wood products, wildlife habitat and watershed protection. They also provide shade, privacy, energy savings (both heating and cooling) and serve as windbreaks if properly placed. They add color, beauty and a sense that we are in touch with nature wherever we work and live. However, during storms, these same trees can become hazardous if not properly maintained. Fallen trees and tree limbs that become entangled in power lines, wind-blown branches that cross power lines as they fall to the ground, and tree limbs that grow into power lines are all major causes of outages in our region. That's why Puget Sound Energy is committed to a year-round $12.5-17 million vegetation management program to help prevent power outages and the dangers caused by overgrown or fallen trees and branches.
Every day, PSE's certified arborists inspect the trees along PSE's power lines for potential problems, and our crews trim or cut those that may not make it through the next big storm. This comprehensive program prevents trees from interfering with our power lines – and ultimately helps keep the lights on.
As part of our vegetation management program, PSE devotes about $500,000 each year to replanting trees in our service area. For the past eight years, we've earned the Tree Line USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of our efforts to protect and enhance urban forests while ensuring reliable energy service.
To put the power of reliability into the hands of customers, PSE has developed a vegetation planning guide called "Energy Landscaping." The print and online handbook helps customers evaluate landscaping opportunities and provides a how-to for planting trees and shrubs and tree care solutions. It also lists recommended trees and shrubs to plant near utility infrastructure.
According to the guide, planning landscaping can be as simple as selecting the right tree for the right location. The key is choosing trees and shrubs that are well-supported by the local climate, do not mature to more than 15 feet in height, are insect and disease resistant, and are aesthetically pleasing. The guide provides a listing of more than 38 tree and shrub species that fit these criteria. To obtain a copy of "Energy Landscaping" call PSE at 1.888.225.5773 and request the guide or download it here .
No matter where you live or what project you are undertaking, please remember to Call Before You Dig so that you have accurate information about any potential safety hazards.
Download the information
Call Before You Dig (1.5 MB PDF)
Watch this
video to learn more about PSE's vegetation management program. (1.84 MB WMV)
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