Utility Line Arboreta

1
Utility Line Arboreta Bonnie L. Appleton and
Brenda M. Johnson-Asnicar Hampton Roads AREC,
Virginia Tech Virginia Beach, VA
23455 bapple_at_vt.edu
Each year utility companies spend over 2 billion
dollars for tree pruning and removal, much of
which is caused by the selection and planting of
tree species with inappropriately mature heights.
Despite publicity against the use of trees that
are too tall, poor tree species selection
continues.
In response to public safety concerns,
line-clearance pruning is required. Many
line-clearance pruning practices damage trees,
both physiologically and aesthetically. Line
clearance necessitates the disposal of millions
of tons of biomass each year.

• In 2000 the Virginia Municipal Tree Restoration
  Project (MTRP) as started. One of the major
  projects of MTRP is the establishment of utility
  line arboreta in multiple Virginia locations as a
  way to evaluate and showcase utility compatible
  trees. There are three types of utility line
  arboreta (ULA) being developed and planted across
  Virginia
• New site/New utility lines installed - At
  Virginia Techs Hampton Roads Agricultural
  Research and Extension Center, Virginia Beach,
  the ULA was developed in a demonstration area
  accessible to the public. Dominion Virginia Power
  erected three poles and two spans of uncharged
  lines around and under which over 150 species and
  cultivars of small trees (to 35) and large
  shrubs are being trialed.
• Existing site/Existing utility lines In the
  City of Abingdon, existing trees that had
  overgrown the lines and required frequent
  pruning, or trees that were determined to be
  hazardous along the two main city streets, were
  removed. They were replaced with appropriate
  species to create a ULA along heavily trafficked
  streets.
• New sit/Existing utility lines - In the City of
  Chesapeake, on property of the Chesapeake
  Arboretum, a ULA was developed under existing
  charged overhead lines along the main city road
  bisecting the arboretums property.

Utility Line Arboretum - Hampton Roads
Agricultural Research and Extension Center,
Virginia Beach, VA
Left Utility Line Arboretum at the Chesapeake
Arboretum, Chesapeake, VA Right Utility Line
Arboretum along two main streets in Abingdon, VA.