Pepco Continues Tree Removal Program in North Potomac and Darnestown

While Pepco put a temporary hold on its planned earlier this month, the utility company has continued its more aggressive tree trimming and removal program in the rest of the county.

That uptick has been evident in the last week in North Potomac and Darnestown, where residents reported the removal of trees on several local roads including Deakins, Esthworthy and Germantown Roads.

According to Pepco, its more aggressive tree removal program, which includes taking down trees that are not yet dead and those that are on the opposite side of the street to power lines, is just a part of the utility's mission to improve reliability.

"The 'uptick' in trimming relates to identifying and removing overhanging limbs and weak species of tree that break and fail during significant wind and snow storms interrupting power," said Pepco spokesman Clay Anderson.

According to Anderson, the decision to remove a tree is based on assessments by several interested parties. First an area is identified by Pepco's Vegetation Management staff. Then trained foresters and arborists from the planning contractor UTILIMAP determine what pruning is necessary to improve reliability in that area.

If the tree is in the public right of way, a county or state arborist is consulted and Pepco must obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

If the tree is on private property, the homeowner's permission is required. In that case, the UTILIMAP planner will first provide a door hanger instructing the homeowner to contact the planner.

The trimming and removal of trees is carried out by Asplundh, a vegetation management company contracted with Pepco.

"We make every attempt to follow established procedures, however mistakes can happen. If a customer has an issue about our work or a dispute regarding our work including tree removal they can contact the Vegetation Management planner or the Claims department," Anderson said. "Our Vegetation Management team would appreciate the opportunity to resolve any problem or dispute. We want to completely satisfy all our customers."

Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner plans to discuss some of those disputes in a committee hearing with Pepco on July 18.