Are You Ready for Spring? Play It Safe!

Your Co-op’s vegetation management best practices.

As your electric cooperative, it’s our responsibility to provide safe, affordable, and reliable electricity to all of our members. Part of our strategy is to conduct proven vegetation management activities such as tree trimming, tree removal, mowing, and herbicide application. These practices conserve and enhance the vast natural resources of the Delmarva Peninsula that are touched by the Cooperative’s maintained utility lines, while also providing your much-needed electricity.

Since May of 2003, all of Choptank Electric’s tree-trimming and mowing operations have been performed by Asplundh Tree Experts of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Through the years, Asplundh has provided a mix of resources at a reasonable rate to assist the Cooperative in its effort to maintain vegetation and minimize its impacts on our infrastructure.

But what can our members do to help us maintain these rights-of-way? 

Think Before You Plant 
One of the simplest things our members can do is to “think before you plant.” When you are looking at planting bushes, shrubs, or trees, look up and see if there are any power lines above, or near that spot. Some trees could grow up and interfere with power lines, so instead, think of planting shorter bushes or shrubs near those areas.

Call Before You Dig
Protect your property and your life by “calling before you dig” on any project this spring. Before you dig a new spot for your mailbox or install that new fence, call 811, which is a free service that marks out underground utility lines, pipes, and cables. This way, you aren’t causing damage to any utility lines, which can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers and potentially result in fines and repair costs or potentially, your life. 811 will coordinate with local utility and service providers to mark underground lines based on a color code for easy interpretation.