In Your Community » King » Construction Projects »
Puget Sound Energy reliability project
Duvall enhanced tree trimming project
Spring 2013 project updates
- Tree work began in February 2013 and is expected to be completed in late July 2013. For a pruning schedule by area, please click here.
Project overview
Many customers in Duvall are served by a 28-mile-long power line. The line’s length, coupled with its proximity to dense forested areas, puts it at risk for tree-related power outages. Over the past 5 years, customers served by this power line have seen 68 power outages related to trees or branches coming into contact with the line.
In an effort to decrease tree-related power outages our customers in the Duvall area experience, PSE will be conducting regular maintenance pruning and hazard tree removal along the entire 28-mile-long power line. In addition to the maintenance work, we also plan to implement an enhanced tree trimming technique along 15 miles of the line. While regular tree maintenance focuses primarily on pruning trees that grow under or into power lines, the enhanced pruning technique involves removing all overhanging branches above the lines, sometimes called “lines to sky” pruning (see graphic of “normal” versus “enhanced” tree pruning and "before and after" image). We believe that by applying the enhanced pruning technique along with regular maintenance we will see a reduction in power outages caused by limbs and branches falling into the lines.
The enhanced tree trimming technique was developed based on the results of an independent study of PSE’s vegetation management system and is monitored by certified arborists. The focus of the enhanced pruning will be on certain tree species along the route that have a tendency for branch failure, including Douglas Firs, Big Leaf Maples, Black Cottonwoods and Red Alders.
The areas targeted for the enhanced tree pruning method include:
- Kelly Rd from NE Big Rock Road to Stossel Creek Rd
- NE Lake Joy Rd from Kelly Rd to 342nd Ave NE
- NE Big Rock Rd from Kelly Rd heading NW to Odell Rd / Odell Rd to NE 139th St
- Big Rock Rd from Odell Rd NE to Batten Rd / Batten Rd NE to approx.14340 Batten Rd NE
- Big Rock Rod from Batten Rd west to 275th Ave NE / 275th Ave NE to the Duvall substation at 14401 278th Ave NE
(See project map for locations.)
You can expect to see tree crews with bucket trucks and safety personnel working along local streets. When working along roadways, signs and flaggers will help direct traffic to minimize congestion and delays as much as possible.
Videos on Tree Trimming
Play these videos explaining the importance of tree pruning to minimize tree-related power outages for our customers, and describing the difference between PSE's normal and enhanced tree pruning practices.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about PSE's vegetation management process or policies please call 1-888-225-5773 or visit our vegetation management section on PSE.com.
Committed to keeping you informed
PSE will continue to provide updates on the project. Residents and businesses near the project area will be notified before the tree work will occur. Our goal is to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.
Contact us
We appreciate your feedback on our tree trimming programs. If you have questions or comments about this project, please contact us at the information below:
Jason Schierer
Sr. Operations Specialist
Vegetation Management
Puget Sound Energy
425-462-3691
Jason.Schierer@pse.com
Download information
Pruning examples: Before and after image Project notice, January 2013Frequently Asked QuestionsProject map Project timeline map (Revised April 2013) Normal versus enhanced tree pruning graphic - Conifer Normal versus enhanced tree pruning graphic - Deciduous