Specialized Equipment Makes Quick Work Of Tree Clearing Challenge

Appalachian Electric Cooperative

When AEC needed trees cleared fast to bring power to a new facility, Davey company Wolf Tree brings in the right equipment to keep the project on track.

The Challenge

To meet the projected power needs of a new industrial facility slated to begin operations, Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) needed to put in a new substation in a rural area south of Jefferson City, TN. The new power lines required a 75’ swath to be cleared along a ½ mile corridor through a heavily wooded area with thick undergrowth and large trees ranging from 8” to 40” in diameter. The utility needed this area cleared as quickly as possible to meet the needs of their customer.

The Solution

Having worked with Wolf Tree, Inc. (a Davey company) for over 30 years, and with the company currently providing solutions to their ongoing maintenance needs, AEC hired them again to assist with clearing this area in a timely manner. Wolf Tree contracted with a North Carolina company to bring in a Shinn cutter, a piece of machinery capable of clearing and grinding large trees. They also used a skidsteer to grind up small material and prepare for the big machine.

One challenge that came up was the need to work around existing phone cables that ran through part of the area to be cleared. Using a bucket truck, Wolf Tree crews manually cleared branches from trees that had grown up through the phone cable, before bringing the Shinn cutter under the lines to clear the trunks.

The Results

After being awarded the project in late September of 2018, Wolf Tree made arrangements with the subcontractor and began work on the project on October 24. The project was completed just four weeks later on November 14, to AEC’s satisfaction.

AEC was especially happy with the speed and efficiency with which Wolf Tree was able to clear the densest areas of large trees. “We were very pleased with the work. They did in 8 days what it would have taken us 5 months to do,” says James Morgan, AEC’s Right of Way Supervisor.

Thanks to Wolf Tree’s availability and resources, AEC is on track to delivering service to their customer on time.

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