Xcel is trimming trees in Seward Neighborhood using the Asplundh Tree Expert Company. The photo shows a “trimmed” tree. I’ve been tweeting about it today, linking to my photos and asking questions. Do we need to strip the trees this much or is there a better way?
The trees do pose a danger. These are high voltage lines and a workman said you can sometimes smell the leaves burning a bit when you are up there trimming. Sparks can arc and cause a fire. Falling branches could cause power outages.
I talked to a workman who said they will all grow back, no problem. It’s hard to believe this doesn’t hurt the overall health of the trees or make them vulnerable to insect or fungal invaders.
I have questions.
- Is this the best time of the year for the trees for stripping that much foliage? Would early spring or late fall be better?
- They trim on a 4-year cycle. What if Xcel trimmed yearly or every two years? The trees would look better, I assume, and maybe it would be less disruptive to the squirrels and birds who inhabit them.
- Is the City of Minneapolis and/or Park Board looking at planting shorter trees in the future? I think this problem needs to be addressed.
I don’t like my block looking like a tree disaster area. It reminds me of the tornado that blew through in the 80s. I believe there is a better way to address the issue.
Of course the obvious solution is underground lines but I know that would be a very expensive proposition for Xcel at this point. But what about the Greenway? Xcel is proposing high voltage lines along the Greenway and they don’t want to go underground. Hmm. Check the Midtown Greenway site for for more information including the fact that Xcel could have laid these lines for lower cost during the recent Lake Street renovation. Other issues include declining electrical usage making many wonder why Xcel needs these lines.
