Tree Line USA Award
REC Sponsors Tree Planting at Weston Schools
As part of its commitment each year to being named a Tree Line USA Utility, Richland Electric Cooperative (REC) sponsors a tree-planting ceremony at one of the schools in its service territory. This spring, Jay Voss, certified arborist of Lancaster and Associates, showed proper tree-planting methods to the Weston School's science classes of Noah Rothering. Richland Electric Cooperative provided one Ginkgo tree and five hemlocks for this year's ceremony. The trees were purchased locally from REC member Lincolnway Nursery.
During the indoor classroom education part of the program, Voss explained how important it is for electric service safety and reliability to keep trees cut or properly pruned under and near electric lines. He told the students that proper pruning of trees is beneficial to both the homeowner and the cooperative. Voss emphasized how tree "topping" is not practiced by responsible tree-trimming companies because it actually causes more damage to trees and can result in more expensive maintenance than proper pruning.
After they went outside, the students were shown the proper way to take trees out of a grower's container by tapping around the container to loosen the tree before removing it. If tapping does not allow the tree to release easily from the container, then the container needs to be cut away from the dirt. Voss explained how new trees need to be watered regularly and that mulch is placed on top of the ground around the tree to help retain moisture for the tree roots. The students and their teacher then helped Voss plant and water the trees. Mother Nature also supplied ample moisture on this day.
This is the 10th consecutive year that Richland Electric Cooperative has been awarded the designation as a Tree Line USA Utility. This program is another example of how REC follows the seventh cooperative principle, Concern for Community. The award, from the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes utilities that meet requirements of a quality tree-care program, annual worker training in quality tree-care practices, a tree-planting and public education program, a tree-based energy conservation program, and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.
Richland Electric Cooperative currently provides electric service to over 3,300 members on 968 miles of line to members in Richland County and portions of Crawford, Vernon and Sauk counties.
Our Commitment
- Annual Worker Training
- Quality Tree Care
- Tree Planting and Public Education
Your Reward
- Increased Electric Reliability
- Healthier Woods and Forests
- Lower Line Clearance Costs
To see how close to utility lines you should plant trees and the proper trees to plant, visit the National Arbor Day Foundation website at www.arborday.org and look for information under Programs/Tree Line USA.
For more information, see Plant Trees to Save Energy. You may also download Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place 