Under the Power Lines

Minimizing interference from vegetation helps the power company keep the power flowing. Herbicides can be used within the power line right of way to assist this effort. Prior to 3 years ago, Amicalola used a broad spectrum herbicide in a swath 12 feet wide under the lines here in Bent Tree, 6 feet on either side of every line in Bent Tree. This killed all vegetation, the good along with the undesirable, the blackberries and club moss and mountain mint along with the small trees that might one day grow into the lines. Around the power lines are areas with sunshine and vegetation growing there is important to wildlife.

Silk Grass and sunflowers on roadside slopes

Together, BTCI and Lake & Wildlife requested that this indiscriminate spraying be stopped and made the commitment that the Bent Tree community would remove the small woody trees that are the largest concern for the power company . Wow, what a difference it has made! Blackberries and blooming flowers are returning in force along the roadside slopes, so much more attractive and beneficial than the broad swaths of dry dead brown. Many residents have been involved in this effort and hopefully are enjoying the benefits, your efforts have really paid off.

Since the original program was started individual commitments have changed; people have moved in and out, interests and abilities have evolved. Jim White has a map of the community and contacts for each section and keeps up with the efforts to ensure we uphold our side of this agreement. We appreciate Amicalola and the service they provide, and understand that herbicides are a necessary tool in some situations. But hopefully we can avoid the return of wide spread indiscriminate herbicide treatment.

Please look at the roadsides under the power lines in front of your house and along your road - are there many pine, sweet gum, and black locust trees sprouting up? Note it is the woody vegetation that is of concern, this is not an effort to remove all vegetation! If readily accessible and you can safely do so, please cut down these trees while they are still very small (leave the roots as they help with soil retention). You can wait till later in the year when other vegetation has died back if that is easier. Contact Jim White (jwhitegolf4@gmail.com) with any questions or to find out who else has committed to work in your section of Bent Tree. Thank you for helping to Keep Bent Tree Beautiful!