PEPCO Tree Pruning Operations to Begin
Wednesday, November 2

Beginning on Wednesday, November 2 and lasting the next eight (8) weeks, PEPCO representatives their tree pruning operations on the below listed streets and on private property. This tree pruning continues efforts began five years ago in response to mandates from the Maryland Public Service Commission to all Maryland utilities regarding vegetation management and system upgrades. 
 
In response to recent criticism for poor performance, the Maryland Public Service Commission has mandated that PEPCO conduct thorough reliability upgrades. This effort will include aggressive, but responsible, tree pruning around the power lines. Village staff along with the Village’s contracted consulting arborist, Tolbert Feather, Ph.D., has been meeting with PEPCO representatives to review PEPCO’s tree pruning plans. While past pruning efforts from PEPCO have resulted in resident concerns about the resulting aesthetic of the Village’s tree canopy, through our meetings with PEPCO we have been able to focus pruning operations to a strategic and minimalist—rather than blanket–approach which has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Feather. Throughout this cycle of tree pruning, both Village staff and Dr. Feather will continue to oversee the tree pruning operations.
 
Over the next few weeks PEPCO representatives will be conducting their tree pruning operations on the below listed streets.  When PEPCO conducts pruning on privately-owned trees they are required to notify the resident of their intentions. When PEPCO is planning to remove trees they are required to receive written sign-off from the respective homeowners. If you are contacted by PEPCO because they wish to conduct tree pruning and/or removal operations on your property you have the right to request additional information on the requested pruning and/or removal. As a homeowner you also have the right to refuse PEPCO crews access to your property.
 
PEPCO’s scope of work for these improvements may include tree trimming along the following streets and in rear yards where high voltage power lines exist:

• Cedar Parkway
• West Irving Street (between Cedar and Magnolia Parkways)
• Hesketh Street (between Cedar and Magnolia Parkways)
• Grafton Street (between Chevy Chase Circle and Cedar Pkwy.)
• Oliver Street
• Grove Street
• Center Street
• Montgomery Street
• Park Street
• Belmont Avenue
• Kirkside Drive

Tree limbs will be pruned to a minimum distance of 4-years of tree growth, based on the species of the particular tree being pruned and its expected growth rate.  Trees may be pruned between two feet (2’) and seven feet (7’) from the power lines. PEPCO plans to trim both private and public trees in the above listed areas. If PEPCO is going to conduct tree pruning on private property a door hanger from PEPCO will be left on your door outlining the extent of the pruning scheduled along with a business card for a PEPCO representative.
 
Should you have any questions regarding PEPCO’s tree pruning, please do not hesitate to contact the Village office at (301) 654-7300 or via e-mail at ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov.