The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Kentucky Utilities are partnering this month to eliminate a public safety hazard on Man O’ War Boulevard.
KU will remove 14 large shade trees planted under power lines and the Urban County Government will replace them with 33 smaller ornamental trees. It is feared the larger trees could bring down the power lines in a strong storm and cause a power outage, according to a press release.
The work is being funded with a $4,000 Plant the Planet grant from LG&E and KU under their “Right Tree in the Right Place Program” and $4,000 in matching funds from the Urban County Council’s Corridors Commission.
“I support KU’s Right Tree in the Right Place Program,” said Karen Angelucci, chairperson of the city’s Tree Board and a member of the Corridors Commission. “I love my power and I love my trees.” She added that the trees being removed have already been topped.
“Lexington is known for its trees that beautify the city’s many neighborhoods,” said Nelson Maynard, Director of Electric Reliability for LG&E and KU. “But KU also watches for when trees could potentially interfere with our reliability and these trees raise that concern.”
“This is an opportunity for us to eliminate trees planted by mistake and replace them with more appropriate ones,” said Tim Queary, Urban Forester for the Urban County Government. “It’s a win-win for both us and Kentucky Utilities.
The trees, which have been marked for removal with orange paint, are located along Man O’ War Boulevard between Parker’s Mill Road and a golf range.
The trees that will be planted in the area will be native tree species such as eastern redbud, Allegheny serviceberry and ‘winter king’ hawthorn. The city will be responsible for maintaining the newly planted trees.