Aug. 15 - 21, 2014
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Tree trimming – a necessary nuisance? To some, Duke Energy’s contractor, Asplundh, is an unwelcome sight along rural roads; others acknowledge the company’s work is necessary to prevent trees from falling on power lines by ANNETTE JOYCE NW GUILFORD – When the bright orange Asplundh trucks start rolling through neighborhoods, one thing is for certain – some local residents are sure to get riled up. If you’ve been driving along the rural roads in Stokesdale the last few weeks, the evidence of
Asplundh’s work is very visible. Trees that were once full and glorious are now bare on one side. Others have been tunneled out in the middle, while the tops of some trees have been completely lopped off. Paige Layne, a spokeswoman for Duke Energy, which contracts with Asplundh to trim trees and branches from the power lines, says the company’s intent is not to destroy trees. Rather, they’re working to prevent situations that could result in trees falling on the power lines and disrupting service – and they’re trying to do it in a way that brings the least harm to the trees.
Duke Energy’s vegetation management program is an on-going process that takes place year-round. The company is currently working on a circuit that extends 50 miles out from the substation in Summerfield, runs up Eversfield Road and throughout parts of Stokesdale. Asplundh has been in the area for the past 11 weeks. During this time, local residents have had both positive and negative experiences with the tree trimming company. To those passing by the property at the corner of N.C. 65 and Ellisboro Road in Stokesdale, that property owner’s experience may have seemed especially horrid. Two sides of the yard were lined with
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Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO
Although it’s painful for some to see the aggressive tree trimming of stately old trees such as these, Duke Energy says the work is necessary to ensure that power lines remain clear.
Photo by Kristin Kubly/NWO
The newest GTCC campus, located at N.C. 68 and Leabourne Road, just outside the Oak Ridge town limits, will welcome its first students on Aug. 18. Read story on p. 9.
IN THIS ISSUE News in brief................................3 Your Questions............................4 GTCC’s newest campus ...........9 Business Notes...........................10 Bits & Pieces ..............................10 Crime/Incident Report ........... 14 Community Calendar ............ 15 Family grateful for support .... 16 Grins & Gripes ........................... 17 Classifieds .................................. 19 Index of Advertisers .................23 NWO on the go!.......................24