Tree Line USA

The Tree Line USA® program is designed to recognize best practices in utility arboriculture, which present ways that trees and utilities can benefit both communities and individuals with a minimum of conflict between the two as they exist in the narrow space allotted. Given the limited easements and the great distances of utility lines, this is a difficult task. However, through the Tree Line USA standards, the Arbor Day Foundation, collaborating with the National Association of State Foresters and individual state agencies, such as the Alabama Forestry Commission, make progress each year on accomplishing this job. We invite all utilities in Alabama to join the Tree Line USA cadre, and encourage power consumers to suggest their utilities complete the application process.

Take your browser to www.ArborDay.org to see if your academic institution is currently a Tree Line USA.

Your utility may become a Tree Line USA by meeting the five standards listed below and by completing the annual application.

1. Quality Tree Care - Industry standards for pruning, planting, removals, trenching, and tunneling near trees are consistently followed.
2. Annual Worker Training - Utility employees and contract workers are trained at least annually in best practices.
3. Tree Planting and Public Education - Tree planting and public education programs are available to the public and paying customers, demonstrating proper tree planting, placement, and pruning while expanding the tree canopy in the community.
4. Tree-Based Energy Conservation Program - A formal tree-based energy conservation program is in place, putting special consideration on the value of trees in conserving energy.
5. Arbor Day Celebration - Sponsorship of or participation in annual Arbor Day events at the community level are documented, including collaboration with community groups whenever possible.

If you would like more information on the various recognition programs go to arborday.org or contact Dale Dickens at (334) 467-7971.