----4/21/2010----

LINCOLN - For the fifth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Lincoln Electric System (LES) a Tree Line USA Utility.

The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. It recognizes utilities that meet three requirements: a program of quality tree care, annual worker training in quality tree care practices and a tree planting and public education program.

LES participated Wednesday (4/21) in Lincoln's observance of Arbor Day at Arnold Elementary School where 46 trees were planted following a program featuring comments by Mayor Chris Beutler. Besides providing crews to assist in planting the trees, LES donated nine trees. LES has remained a partner with Arnold Elementary for 21 years starting with Lincoln Public School's former Ventures In Partnership program.

"It is an honor for LES to once again be recognized as a Tree Line USA Utility," said LES Administrator and CEO Doug Curry. "Our line clearance crews are certified arborists through the City of Lincoln to ensure that we not only effectively protect customers from outages caused by trees, but also that our city's forest is pruned according to the high standards of the Arbor Day Foundation."

"Across America, people are recognizing and celebrating how vital trees are to our cities and towns," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees help reduce peak demand by conserving energy. They also clean the air and water, increase property value and make our homes more comfortable, livable places.

"Tree Line USA utilities deserve recognition for their commitment to providing safe, efficient service, while helping protect and preserve community trees," Rosenow said. "One of the greatest objectives of Tree Line USA, and a major contribution of the program, is replacing the outdated line-clearance practice of topping trees with natural pruning. Natural pruning trains trees to grow around wires and retain more of their natural form. This results in healthier trees and reduced clearance costs for utility companies, since natural pruning has to be done less frequently than topping."