Falling tree branches are one of the main causes of power outages.

Any electric utility must maintain the land beneath power lines on a regular basis. If the land below utility lines is overgrown then it takes the line workers that much longer to restore power.

The more tree branches that fall on lines, the more crews have to clear, and the longer it takes to get power restored. That is why the utilities have the legal right to clear land and trim trees that could interfere with power delivery. This cleared area is called the right-of-way or ROW.

The need for mass clearing and cutting is becoming less and less frequent because of new herbicidal technologies, which help keep tree growth down while allowing wildflowers and other herbaceous growth to flourish.

Herbicide spraying is currently done one of two ways: low-volume, high pressure spraying or backpack spraying. The backpack method in neighborhoods to keep the herbicide distribution selective and to keep the herbicide from drifting. Generally spraying takes place from spring through the fall, starting in mid-May and ending before the first frost.

Sprouts grow back from the tree roots after having been mechanically cut. Crews walk through these ROW areas and apply a herbicide droplet mixture directly to the tree sprouts, so only those trees are controlled, leaving low-growing plant growth that stops soil erosion and is good for the environment. Herbicides improve the land by enabling co-ops to control only the undesirable species of vegetation, while leaving those species essential for wildlife habitat.

Herbicide applications are safe for the environment, and even serve to protect wildlife habitats in most cases. Professor Pete Bromley, a wildlife biologist and department Extension leader in zoology at North Carolina State University, served as the principal investigator on a ROW management research project for Carolina Power and Light Company.

Through the course of his research, Dr. Bromley found that when comparing alternative methods of ROW management — tilling up the soil, mowing it down or using selective herbicide application scored highest. If your interest is enhancing and protecting wildlife, this is the way to go."

Many people worry about the side effects of herbicide use in their yards and neighborhoods. But Dr. Bromley stresses, "We know of no adverse affects of the use of herbicides to people or animals. These herbicides are designed solely to affect plants."

When it comes to managing ROWs there are several things you should remember. If you have a tree that comes into contact with power lines, do not attempt to remove the tree yourself. Call your electric utility for assistance.

Always look up before planting a tree to make sure you’re not creating a problem for yourself down the road. If you do choose to plant beneath a power line, be sure that you plant low-growing plants.