ComEd will be performing vegetation management in Riverside for the next several months. Vegetation management is a key component of ComEd’s maintenance program to ensure system electrical reliability, as contact with ComEd equipment is a leading cause of outages. Customers and property owners will be notified by ComEd directly.
The Village and ComEd recognize that vegetation management activities sometimes create concern because trees near electrical wires are significantly trimmed or sometimes require removal. Please note that qualified line-clearance workers contracted by ComEd will be performing the tree pruning work. Supervisors and General Foremen will be in close contact with tree trimming crews, ensuring that the work is performed properly.
In order to avoid the need for significant tree trimming, ComEd strongly advocates planting only appropriate vegetation near electrical infrastructure. Please note that utility easements and leases usually include specific vegetation restrictions. Trees that grow taller than 20 feet, for example maple, elm, and blue spruce, should never be planted under or near power distribution lines. At full height, these trees could contact lines and cause a power outage or create a safety issue. Trees and bushes that grow to heights of less than 20 feet, for example dogwoods or crabapples, can often be planted near power distribution lines.
For more information about vegetation maintenance along power lines and ComEd’s “Right Tree, Right Place” program, please visit the ComEd website.