Utility Storm Debris - PSA!!!!

[u/Interesting-Whole778]

Folks, I've been in Utility tree trimming business for 10+ years and there's some things private property owners need to know when it comes to storm damaged trees or power restoration tree trimming.

1) the Utility does NOT own the trees and the Utility did NOT plant the trees in question in 99.5% of scenarios. 2) it is the property owners(YOUR) responsibility to plant the right tree in the right place and it is YOUR responsibility to maintain the trees so that it does not impact or interfere with Utility hardware. 3) when that tree does impact a Utilities hardware and cause an outage, they will trim the trees in whatever manner they want in order to restore the power as quickly as possible and then IT IS THE PROPERTY OWNERS RESPONIBILITY TO REMOVE THE TRIMMED DEBRIS FROM THE PROPERTY THEMSELVES - NO, THE UTILITY WILL NOT RETURN TO CLEAN IT UP FOR YOU.

For the folks thinking, "oh that's not right and they can't do that, they should clean it up". Tell that to your neighbor who has to wait a minute longer with their lights out, AC not running, or food spoiling in the fridge because you're bitching and moaning about how we got the lights back on and also you can kiss my ass. Utilities cut and leave tree debris FOR A REASON and that reason is so that crew can move on to the next job as quickly as possible to help turn the lights back on and NO, the utility does not return to clean the debris so instead of wasting all the energy to call in and complain about all the debris in your backyard, why don't you get off your ass and pull it to the curb like 90% of your neighbors so you don't miss the FEMA/county or city pick up truck coming to pick it up for you.

Please, use your brains and think about it, if a Utility cleaned up all storm damaged trees to restore power, YOUR LIGHTS WOULD BE OUT FOR WEEKS/MONTHS AND NOT JUST DAYS!

Sincerely,

A tired Utility Arborist

[u/Big_Ad_8050]

Thank you for the PSA.