POWERTREES

Powertrees Promotes:

Appropriate tree planting selections in urban environments that do not interfere with the safe operation of electric lines.
Continued planning that supports breeding, growing, study and marketing of better adapted cultivars for use in utility right-of-ways in urban environments
Increased nursery production of utility adapted species
Continued research on adaptability of new plant selections in urban environments
The need to reduce costs associated with tree management and power outages

Conflicts between large trees and utility lines greatly impact the reliable power transmission and long-term health of the trees.

Powertrees Partnership:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Transmission Program Power Plant Research program:
Maryland Electric Reliability Tree Trimming (MERTT)
US National Arboretum
DC Urban Forestry Administration
University of Maryland
USDA Forest Service
Partnered to develop, grow and test new tree cultivars with growth characteristics and tolerance of urban utility planting sites in the Maryland/DC metro area.

Developing new tree selections for planting in utility right of ways will reduce costs associated with the management of trees by utility companies and contribute to increased health of urban forests.