CL&P To Trim Vines On Poles

The Connecticut Light and Power Company has launched an aggressive state-wide attack on fast growing vines. Various species have the ability to climb up utility poles and wrap themselves around wires and transformers. The result can be power outages to hundreds, even thousands of customers.

CL&P arborists, along with tree contractors, began fanning out all over the state earlier this month in search of these unruly vines. They expect work to be completed by the end of September.

There are several species most likely to be found growing up utility poles: poison ivy, creeper (wood vine), bittersweet, grape, and wild rose.

“We estimate that at least 10 percent of all utility poles have some form of vine growth which has the potential, over time, to cause customer outages,” said CL&P regional arborist Alan Carey. “These aggressive vines, which can strangle other native vegetation, are cut at ground level,” he continued.

By the end of September, every mile of CL&P overhead distribution line will be surveyed to identify and eliminate this threat to customer reliability.

CL&P provides electricity to 1.1 million customers and is part of the Northeast Utilities System, the largest utility in New England.