DTE Energy announces tree trimming schedule for July and August

DETROIT, July 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy tree trimming crews will work in several communities over the next two months to improve electrical service reliability and enhance safety for customers.

"By trimming to a 10-foot distance between tree branches and our power lines, we can significantly reduce tree-related power outages," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president, Distribution Engineering and Construction. "Our goal is to keep customers' trees healthy and out of harm's way. The pruning method we use removes only the branches too close to power lines and helps ensure that future growth is directed away from power lines."

For the past 15 years, the company has received the National Tree Line USA Award for quality tree care. Tree trim crews follow International Society of Arboriculture standards to maintain the health of trees.

After trimming, trees are less susceptible to disease and insect problems, and because they're stronger, they're more resistant to high winds and heavy ice. During severe weather, fallen limbs and tree branches account for about two-thirds of power outages.

Once tree trim work is completed, DTE Energy removes small branches and debris from customer properties. Larger trimmed branches are cut to firewood length and left behind for customer use or disposal.

DTE Energy does not remove diseased tree debris. And like most utilities nationwide, DTE Energy does not remove debris caused by severe storms.

"When severe weather hits, our first priority is working quickly to remove downed wire hazards and restore power to customers," Dow said.

In these emergency situations, crews will cut broken and uprooted trees so repairs can be made. Customers are advised to contact their trash collectors or a professional tree removal company for advice on disposing of tree debris.

Customers are responsible for keeping tree branches away from their service drops, which are the lines that run from utility poles to their homes. Although the voltage running through the service drop is much lower than pole-to-pole wires, DTE Energy recommends hiring a professional tree service to do this trimming. Visit dteenergy.com/treetrim to find more information about line clearance and proper tree planting.

Here is the list of communities, by county, where tree trimming will be done during the next two months:

Huron -- Bad Axe, Caseville, Port Austin, and Bingham, Caseville, Colfax, Fairhaven, McKinley, Meade, Oliver, Sebewaing, Sheridan and Sigel townships

Lapeer – Lapeer, Otter Lake and Elba, Lapeer and Marathon townships

Livingston – Howell, Pinckney

Macomb – Armada, Clinton, Macomb, Ray, Shelby and Washington townships, Sterling Heights, Warren

Oakland – Bloomfield, Independence, Orion, Springfield and Waterford townships, Farmington Hills, Milford, Royal Oak, Troy

Sanilac – Fremont, Lamotte and Moore townships, Peck

St. Clair – Burtchville, Clyde Township

Tuscola – Kingston, Koylton, Millington and Watertown townships, Kingston, Millington

Washtenaw -- Ann Arbor, Dexter

Wayne  -- Allen Park, Detroit, Inkster, and Canton and Van Buren townships

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan.  The DTE Energy portfolio also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects and energy trading.  Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

SOURCE DTE Energy