PPL Electric Utilities, a PPL Corporation subsidiary, has been named a Tree Line USA utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The designation recognizes PPL Electric Utilities' tree-pruning program and public education efforts, and the tree-planting and environmental education initiatives of PPL Corporation's Project Earth program.

"Trees are a vital part of our towns and cities," said John Rosenow, National Arbor Day Foundation president. "The commitment of Tree Line USA utilities to protect trees while providing reliable service helps provide beautiful trees for the future and long-term operational savings for utilities."

While trees add to the beauty of communities and help clean the air, they also can cause power outages if branches grow too close to power lines. PPL Electric Utilities continually prunes trees growing near its 37,000 miles of power lines in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Tree pruning that strikes a balance between aesthetics, environmental benefits, healthy trees and reliable electric service is an important objective of the company's maintenance program, said Michael E. Bray, president of PPL Electric Utilities.

"We are keenly aware of how important trees are to the communities and customers we serve," he said. "Our designation as a Tree Line USA utility means that our tree program meets the National Arbor Day Foundation's quality standards. We're proud of that distinction."

"Reforming the outdated practice of topping trees is a major objective of Tree Line USA," Rosenow said. "Natural pruning, which trains trees to grow away from wires and retain more of their natural form, is better for the health of trees."

Natural pruning removes only the branches that grow toward power lines. The remaining branches retain their shape, foliage and spacing. Trees do not have to be cut as often. And after natural pruning, fewer weakly attached shoots grow back than on trees that have been topped.

PPL Electric Utilities uses experienced and highly trained crews accustomed to working around live power lines. It also has a staff of professional foresters to oversee the tree-pruning program and help educate people about planting varieties of trees near power lines that do not grow tall enough to interfere with the lines.

A total of 97 Tree Line USA companies will be recognized March 12 at the National Arbor Day Foundation's Trees and Utilities Annual Conference in Nebraska.