Tree Line USA Award
Richland Electric Cooperative has been awarded the designation as a Tree Line USA Utility for the eighth consecutive year. The award is another example of how Richland Electric Cooperative follows the seventh cooperative principle, Concern for Community. The award from the National Arbor Day Foundation recognizes utilities that meet three requirements:
- A program of quality tree care
- Annual worker training in quality tree care practices
- A tree planting and public education program.
As part of their commitment each year, Richland Electric Cooperative sponsors a tree planting ceremony at one of the schools in its service territory. This spring, Dennis Udelhofen, Certified Arborist of Lancaster and Associates, showed proper tree planting methods to the 3rd grade students of Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Schlicht at the Kickapoo Area School District. Richland Electric Cooperative provided two Brandywine Crab Apple trees and two Sargent Flowering Crab Apple trees for this year's ceremony. The trees were purchased locally from REC member Lincolnway Nursery.
During the indoor classroom education part of the program, Udelhofen explained to the students all the benefits trees provide to the environment and land owners. He talked about how trees can help cool their home in the summer, but yet allow sunlight into the home in the winter to help warm it. Udelhofen also explained how trees can provide windbreaks to keep the cold winter wind out of their house and how they help control land erosion. He cautioned them about planting trees under power lines and to also make sure there are no underground power lines before planting. He warned the students, "Always, always call Digger's Hotline prior to any digging. Not only could you be seriously hurt if you come in contact with the power line, but you could easily be killed."
Once they were outside, Udelhofen showed the students how deep and wide the holes needed to be for the trees and their roots. He also explained how new trees need watered regularly and why mulch was so important to help retain moisture around them. The 3rd graders then helped Udelhofen plant the trees and add the necessary water and mulch to help retain the moisture.
Richland Electric Cooperative currently provides electric service to about 3,300 members on over 964 miles of electric line in Richland and parts of Crawford, Sauk and Vernon counties.
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In the photos above, Kickapoo 3rd grade students help Certified Arborist Dennis Udelhoven plant the trees, add mulch and water. The class and teachers then posed for a group photo behind one of their newly planted trees.
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, download Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place 