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APS Tree Care Program Honored SInce 1997, APS has been honored annually with the Tree Line USA Award for its national leadership in urban forestry and environmental stewardship. The National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters sponsor Tree Line USA. The award recognizes both public and private utilities throughout the country that demonstrate superior practices to protect and enhance America’s urban forests. Utilities are considered for the award for meeting standards in quality tree care, annual worker training, and tree planting and public education. There are 115 Tree Line USA utilities. "This award acknowledges the tremendous efforts of our forestry employees who help us meet our goal of properly caring for trees near power lines while continuing to provide safe, reliable electric service," said APS Forestry and Special Programs Manager Mike Neal. Mike served as the past president of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the worlds’ largest scientific and education tree care organization. "Trees and utility lines contend for overhead space along our streets," added Neal. "Our goal is to allow trees and power lines to coexist through careful pruning of existing trees and by encouraging residents to plant trees that won’t grow into the lines when mature." APS has almost 100 forestry employees statewide. These professionals help ensure that trees do not grow into – or fall onto – more than 20,000 miles of transmission and distribution power lines statewide, preventing power disruptions and dangerous situations for APS employees and customers. |
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