Dominion prepares to trim trees again in Beaufort. This time you’ll have a say in it
The city of Beaufort is stepping up oversight of tree trimming by Dominion Energy after previous complaints the power company was heavy-handed in its pruning and lack of communication.
Dominion will be trimming trees in mid-January through March 1 from Hermitage Road in the north to Camelia Road to the south, and from the Spanish Moss Trail in the west and Ribaut Road to the east, said Neal Pugliese, the city’s project manager.
This time, Pugliese said, the city will have its own master arborist oversee the work. The arborist will be available, along with Pugliese, if residents have questions or concerns, Pugliese said. The city also is working with Dominion to improve communications with residents, Pugliese said.
The city and Dominion are planning a meeting Jan. 10 at City Hall “in order to make sure they understand what the guardrails are,” Pugliese said. A time has not been set.
“Dominion’s has been very cooperative in working with us up to this point,” Pugliese said.
Maintaining areas around power lines is important to ensure safe and reliable service, Dominion spokesman Paul Fischer said, because trees and other forms of vegetation that contact overhead power lines can cause outages and flickers.
“While we understand and appreciate the passion surrounding trees across the Lowcountry, safety remains our top priority,” Fischer said. “Trees that have grown too close to overhead lines are both a fire hazard and an issue of employee and public safety. “
Customers with immediate concerns regarding trees on or near their property can contact Dominion at 800-251-7234. Pugliese, the project manager for the city, can be reached at 714-357-0811.
In June 2021, residents complained that trimming of live oaks and pines was a “butcher job.” Some residents said they also were caught off-guard when large utility poles were installed in their neighborhood, replacing older, smaller poles.
They were most upset, though, about what they said was a lack of communication about the work, saying they felt “blown off.” Residents took their complaints to the City Council, which recommended that Dominion and the city get together to improve communications with the public before future work occurs.
Pugliese updated City Council members on Dec. 13 about Dominion’s upcoming work and the steps to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Trees are pruned about every five years, Pugliese said, to ensure electricity remains reliable and that trees do not interfere with utility lines.
“Hopefully they will be a little more sensitive to our area,” Councilman Neil Lipsitz said.
Protecting trees and ensuring reliable electricity, especially during storms, is a balance, said Mayor Stephen Murray, calling himself a “tree hugger” who also loves electricity.
“I appreciate Dominion Energy’s communication with us this time and giving us a little bit of heads up and time to prepare everybody,” Murray said, “unlike some previous trimming.”
Trees and tree limbs represent the No. 1 reason for power outages, Fischer said. Trees that exceed a maximum height of about 15 feet are not suitable for planting along distribution rights of way or near overhead lines.
Dominion follows national pruning standards outlined by the International Society of Arboriculture, and the company’s aborists also oversee its projects, Fischer said.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 10:21 AM.
