PG&E's Reliability Pruning - the Down Side

PHOTOS: “Reliability Pruning” last year on Austin Creek Rd from 3-mi bridge to hwy 116

PG&E's Reliability Pruning runs into Protests in Cazadero

THIS IS NOT THE USUAL ANNUAL TREE PRUNING BY DAVEY TREE!

SAY NO TO PG&E’S “RELIABILITY PRUNING” PROGRAM FROM 3-MILE BRIDGE ON AUSTIN CREEK RD THROUGH CAZADERO AND ONTO KING RIDGE RD IN CAZADERO

COSTS TO YOU WILL BE:
• CREATION OF WIND TUNNELS (windthrow)
• LOSS OF SCENIC VALUE
• INCREASED FIRE DANGER
• HIGHER INSURANCE RATES
• DECREASED PROPERTY VALUES
• INCREASED RISK OF TREES FALLING/TOPS BREAKING OFF

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT “RELIABILITY PRUNING” AND INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS: Contact treeswithoutlimbs@gmail.com
and/or Judith Rost: 707-632-5988

LETTER:

While I do understand and appreciate the importance of safety around 12,000 volt power lines, you must recognize the negative impact that PG&E's recent "Reliability Pruning" program is causing.

As you know, I am a California tree contractor, Lic. #909691; you may review my resume at www.thetreeclimber.net.

During the last several years, the scientific community has established the components behind the growth pattern of redwood trees, including groundwater recharge and transpiration. The
University of California at Berkeley has been involved in the studies at the Van Alstine grove in Occidental, which showed that the reason redwoods grow so tall is the limbs up and down their trunklines, on which the sun bakes the foliage and draws moisture to the upper crown.

The negative impact of PG&E's program is that when these limbs have been stripped, the crown will grow exponentially as a result. Those limbs remaining on the upper crown will, in a short period of time, be MORE apt to break and fall on power lines.

Another issue of serious concern is that wind tunnels are being created by this program, especially in the Austin Creek-Cazadero Highway area. Extremely hazardous situations are going to be affecting private property and causing higher insurance rates, decreasing property values and increased risk of trees falling and tops breaking off.

Again, I appreciate PG&E's intentions of minimizing winter power outages; however, this is the wrong approach.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Darrell B. Sukovitzen
The Tree Climber
CCL #909691
darrells@sonic.net
(707) 887-1017
www.thetreeclimber.net