<div dir="ltr">Following up on an (off-list) message from Gloria Felix-Thompson, I found out last night that PEPCO will not take out, or even trim, privately-owned trees without "permission" from the owner. They will notify homeowners (in person or via a door hanger) of their intent, usually around a week in advance, and perform the work if they don't hear from you. The door hangers should have contact information on them, and calling the number (and leaving a message) will prevent them from trimming your tree before they discuss what needs to happen with you. I encourage everyone to at least consider what they are saying about the trees - for those of us who are tree-lovers, it's hard to hear, but there may actually be a good reason to take a tree out.<div><br></div><div>If you don't have contact information, or are concerned about timing or being heard, feel free to contact Mayor Archer or your Town Council representative.</div><div><br></div><div>If you are on the other side of the fence (hi Bob!) and think your tree is in desperate need of trimming or being taken down, you can file a request for them to look at your tree (or vines) at <a href="https://www.pepco.com/forms/pepco/business/treevegmgmt.aspx">https://www.pepco.com/forms/pepco/business/treevegmgmt.aspx</a></div><div><br></div><div>Finally, one resident I heard from was worried about PEPCO taking down street trees. Our Town has a comprehensive street tree management program, and we are at a point now where our arborist thinks the trees are (in general) in good shape. The Town will work with PEPCO to make sure that we agree with their assessment before removing or trimming trees. Mayor Archer may let us know exactly what's happening - I heard from him that he was working with staff to manage this situation. One thing about street trees is that PEPCO, the Town, and the State all have to agree that a tree needs to go before it will happen.</div><div><br></div><div>Last but not least, I know our County Council representative, Dannielle Glaros, had a meeting with PEPCO late today to discuss their program and how PEPCO should work with residents. I haven't heard what happened yet, but will pass on anything I hear.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyone wanting to learn everything there is to know about PEPCO's vegetation management program (including what laws regulate it) can watch the presentation made at Hyattsville's City Council meeting on January 20 of this year. The video is at <a href="http://hyattsvillecitymd.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=1007&Format=Agenda">http://hyattsvillecitymd.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=1007&Format=Agenda</a> The PEPCO presentation starts an hour and 12 minutes into the video, with the response to a (Council) question about getting permission to trim or remove a tree at around an hour and 26 minutes into the meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope this clears things up!</div><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Alan<br><div><br></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 5:15 PM, adrian limmen <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:adrianlimmen@gmail.com" target="_blank">adrianlimmen@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">I agree that we should not lose any unnecessary trees. If I can help you in some way I will. I like our trees and would hate to lose them. Especially if they are not in the way of any utilities. <br><br>I would also suggest that when planting any new trees that they <b>not be planted underneath or near any power lines</b>. There are a few newish looking trees planted on the west end of Ravenswood Rd in front of the apartment building that have all been placed <b>under power lines</b>. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ymMFX" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/maps/ymMFX</a> <div><br></div><div>It maybe a few years down the road that we have to worry about it but planting trees under power lines is not a good idea since they will grow into the power lines at some point. Just a thought.</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div class="h5">On Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 5:04 PM, Sarah Wayland <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:sarah.wayland@gmail.com" target="_blank">sarah.wayland@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br></div></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div><div class="h5"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">I just sent this note to my local elected officials. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Sarah Wayland</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:sarah.wayland@gmail.com" target="_blank">sarah.wayland@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 5:01 PM<br>Subject: PEPCO and tree removal<br>To: "Glaros, Dannielle M." <<a href="mailto:dmglaros@co.pg.md.us" target="_blank">dmglaros@co.pg.md.us</a>>, "Olivo, Aimee, E." <<a href="mailto:aeolivo@co.pg.md.us" target="_blank">aeolivo@co.pg.md.us</a>>, "Alan K. Thompson" <<a href="mailto:akthompson@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">akthompson@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a>>, "<a href="mailto:varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a>" <<a href="mailto:varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a>><br><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">We got a notice today from PEPCO that they would like to remove a tree from our side yard at: </div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">4711 Sheridan Street</div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Riverdale Park, MD 20737</div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">This is a large walnut tree that has swings in it, and which has never once been a problem for our electrical wires and electricity supply. Removing this tree is entirely unnecessary. </div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">I am worried that PEPCO is embarking on further deforestation of our county. Last year they engaged in excessive pruning and cutting down of many of the large trees in our section of the county. I feel like they are doing it again. </div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Please make them stop. </div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Sincerely, </div><span><font color="#888888"><span><font color="#888888"><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Sarah Wayland</div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">a *VERY* concerned resident</div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div>
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