Update: Butchered Trees in the Woodlands

This is who FPL hires to trim their trees, as depicted in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

By: Sharon Aron Baron

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about our trees being butchered in the Woodlands in  Who Butchered the Trees in the Woodlands County Club.  At the time, I had no idea who was doing this shoddy tree-trimming work.  But thanks to the residents, I learned that FPL got the Country Club’s permission.

I wrote to FPL and asked them to come and inspect the trees.   I received a reply, but I honestly don’t believe that Senior Communications Specialist David McDermitt came out and checked this awful job because he would have been appalled if he did.   He writes that they use only “utility-qualified professional tree-trimming contractors….” which is a load of horse poopoo.    The “contractors” that butchered our trees are chain saw-toting lawn boys that went rogue.

Read the rest of this nice PR piece from FPL:

Hi Sharon,

According to FPL: “These contractors are leaders in the field of utility arboriculture and utilize proven, industry-standard pruning techniques.

In further response to your inquiry, we have additional facts about the Woodlands Country Club tree trimming project to share with you. FPL is sensitive to customer concerns regarding our vegetation management practices. That’s why we use only utility-qualified professional tree-trimming contractors to manage the trees and plants near our power lines and equipment. These contractors are leaders in the field of utility arboriculture and utilize proven, industry-standard pruning techniques.

FPL has maintained its easement in the Woodlands Country Club golf course since 1953 and has performed regular upkeep on it. Trimming the trees keeps them away from the lines to help prevent power outages and provide safe, reliable electric service for our customers. The trees in question are located within this easement under or near high-voltage transmission lines, as shown in your photo.

We notified the club before the work started this spring and a club official periodically inspected the trimming as work progressed on the project. FPL has offered on several occasions to remove these trees because they can grow as high as 60 feet and are not suited for the site. However, golf course management has requested they be left on the property.

FPL is required by federal regulation to prevent tree-related power outages on these lines, and we regularly trim and maintain these trees to ensure compliance. The specification for transmission lines calls for the trees to be maintained at or less than a height of 14 feet.

We appreciate the opportunity to share this information with you. Thank you for recognizing our commitment to providing safe, reliable electricity to our customers in the Woodlands Country Club area.

Dave

David McDermitt

Senior Communication Specialist

Marketing & Communication

Florida Power & Light Company

Office: 561-694-4148 / Mobile: 561-310-3355

On June 14th, I wrote him back:

Dave,

Thank you for your letter.  I find it still unacceptable how the trees are being trimmed.  Did you get a chance to visit the site?    The trees are NO WHERE remotely close to the lines above, yet are being butchered and disfigured in the process.   There is no reason to “trim” these trees like this.

I have waited; however, I have not received a response.