Montgomery County Recorder’s office, and copies are typically kept by AES. You may also wish to consult an attorney if you have specific questions about your property rights.
What happens to the cut material?
Trees are considered a homeowner’s property. Small debris may be chipped and removed by AES’s contractor as part of jobsite cleanup, but larger limbs and branches are typically cut, stacked, and left on site for the property owner to use or dispose. Disposal can be done through the city’s monthly greenwaste collection, or by dropping off the material in the yard debris dumpster at the Dog Park parking lot.
Who can I contact if I have questions about trimming that will be done on my property?
If you have questions about work at your property, always contact AES’s contractor first. They should be willing to meet you at your property to discuss the work. If that does not resolve your concerns, you should contact AES’s line clearance department. If you are still unsatisfied with their responses, you can call City Horticulturist Brian Caldwell at (937) 298-0775. The City Horticulturist may be able to influence the manner in which certain trimming is completed, but does not have power to issue orders that conflict with PUCO or OSHA regulations. To file a complaint about utility-based tree trimming, contact the PUCO at (800) 686-7826.
What can I do to prepare for tree trimming?
Homeowners should be certain that they completely understand the work to be done on their property. It is a good idea to take pictures of the trees prior to trimming and discuss with AES or the contractor the trimming that will be done. Most tree trimmers will try to work with customers regarding their concerns with trimming when possible.
What can I do to avoid having AES trim my trees?
Advance planning is key. The following are steps you can take to help avoid having AES trim trees in your yard:
- When planting trees in your yard, select a location away from power lines;
- Check with a nursery about the correct species of trees for planting in the space you have available;
- Trim all trees and bushes that are under and near power lines each year to keep them from growing toward the lines.
For more information about recommended trees to plant and where to locate them in relation to power lines, you may always contact the City Horticulturist at (937) 298-0775.