Advertise on podcast: Trees & Lines: A Utility Vegetation Management Podcast

Trees & Lines is adding something new to the mix. Alongside guest interviews, hosts Tej Singh, Phil Charlton, and Brian Sprinkle are starting a running series where they talk through what's actually happening in the industry. This week: the wildfire smoke that turned Toronto's sky pink, why Texas just mandated wildfire mitigation plans for every utility in the state, the worker safety questions that get overlooked during wildfire response, and the case for treating vegetation management like a capital asset instead of an operating expense. They also break down the real difference between reliability and resiliency, and why that distinction is shaping utility investment decisions across the country. Subscribe now to stay updated: https://linktr.ee/treesandlinespodcast #UtilityVegetationManagement #WildfireMitigation #GridResiliency #UtilityForestry #TreesAndLines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Lindfors leads the evolution to integrated vegetation management at Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) in Palmer, Alaska. He joins Phil Charlton and Brian Sprinkle to talk about what it took to bring herbicide back into MEA’s program after years of managing 2,000 miles of distribution line with mastication alone, how a three to four month growing season and remote, ice-bridge-only access change every part of the planning process, and why leading with retention instead of removal completely changed how members respond.  Anthony also breaks down MEA’s growing tech stack: LiDAR-driven pruning identification, a GIS environment that’s saved the organization hundreds of hours, and an early look at AI-assisted treetop detection.  Subscribe now to stay updated: https://linktr.ee/treesandlinespodcast  #UtilityVegetationManagement #IntegratedVegetationManagement #RightOfWay #UtilityForestry #TreesAndLines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Dr. Carolyn Mahan, professor of biology and environmental studies at Penn State, returns to Trees & Lines to give an update on State Game Lands 33, the longest running vegetation management research project in the country. She breaks down what 70+ years of data show about integrated vegetation management, her expanding work on the Falcon pipeline with Shell Midstream, and her recent testimony in front of the House Committee on Natural Resources on the Fix Our Forests Act. Carolyn also gets candid about who actually pushes back on IVM today, why academic independence matters when industry funds the research, and what she’s watching for after the midterms. Check out her research here. #UtilityVegetationManagement #RightOfWay #IVM #UtilityForestry #TreesAndLines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darrell Daniel, UVM Program Manager at SMUD, joins Trees & Lines to break down how his team built the only right-of-way stewardship accredited program at a public power utility. Darrell walks through the growth mindset that’s driven a decade of improvement, how SMUD separates real AI capability from vendor hype, the goat grazing program that’s become a community favorite, and the biggest misconception utility leadership has about vegetation management: that once you clear it, you’re done. Subscribe now to stay updated: https://linktr.ee/treesandlinespodcast  #UtilityVegetationManagement #RightOfWay #UtilityForestry #PublicPower #TreesAndLines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Overbee, PE, CEO of Piedmont Electric Company, joins us to talk about leading a cooperative through a full technology and reliability overhaul. Jordan breaks down why blind cycle trimming wasn’t cutting it, how a simple member-reporting program in Piedmont’s magazine surfaced over 100 danger trees in under 30 days (99% confirmed legitimate), and how the co-op is rethinking its vegetation management plan around targeted, data-driven cuts. He also digs into Piedmont’s technology roadmap: SCADA upgrades, the LiDAR vs. satellite imagery debate, AI-assisted outage prediction, and why bringing linemen into the decision-making process made the rollout actually stick.  Subscribe now to stay updated: https://linktr.ee/treesandlinespodcast  #UtilityVegetationManagement #ElectricCooperative #UtilityForestry #RightOfWay #TreesAndLines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Mariclaire Rigby, Principal Vegetation Strategy Specialist at National Grid, joins us to discuss how transmission rights of way can be managed as thriving ecosystems rather than just clearance corridors. Mariclaire traces her career from patrolling the Adirondacks after the 2003 northeast blackout to leading vegetation strategy across New Hampshire and Vermont, and shares how National Grid has built one of the more comprehensive IVM programs in the industry over decades of consistent right of way management. The conversation covers National Grid's shift to annual LiDAR patrols and the real learning curve that comes with getting useful deliverables from vendors, why fixed wing collection worked better than helicopter for their vegetation needs, and how four to six week turnaround on flight data has changed the way consultants and crews work together in the field. Mariclaire also walks through the company's multi-year biotic study tracking plant and insect species on the right of way, how that data has updated treatment specs and identified emerging invasive species, and why bringing conservation groups out to see IVM work firsthand has been one of the most effective tools for shifting public perception. She also touches on National Grid's Monarch City USA participation, her recent commercial drone license, workforce pipeline concerns, and emerging research into how prevailing wind patterns affect tree-caused outages. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #IVM #GridReliability #UtilityOperations #UrbanForestry #EnergyInfrastructure #Utilities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines  Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Liz Westberg, Business Development at Growth Solutions, joins us to discuss how tree growth regulators are helping utilities reduce long-term vegetation management costs by slowing regrowth and extending pruning cycles. Liz breaks down the science behind paclobutrazol, explaining how it works at the cellular level by reducing gibberellic acid production and redirecting tree energy in ways that also improve drought tolerance, root development, and overall tree health. She walks through the business case for TGRs, including cost savings of 20 to 70% depending on access conditions, and explains why timing treatments close to pruning events is critical to getting the best results out of any program. The conversation also covers species considerations across deciduous trees, conifers, and monocots, why implementation scope and target selection matter more than most utilities realize, and how Growth Solutions manages landowner communication and opt-out programs in the field. Liz shares why less than 20% of utilities currently use TGRs despite decades of availability, what it takes to build the internal business case for adoption, and why the foresters who have implemented these programs rarely want to give them up once they start seeing results. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #TreeGrowthRegulators #GridReliability #UtilityOperations #UrbanForestry #EnergyInfrastructure #Utilities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Joe DeLong, Forester for the City of Westerville Electric Division, joins hosts Philip Charlton, Ph.D. and Tej Singh to discuss how a small municipal utility reduced tree-caused outages by 41%. Joe shares his journey from climbing trees in the field to leading the vegetation management program for Westerville, a public power utility serving just 12 square miles. Faced with areas that hadn't been touched in over 10 years and limited resources, Joe implemented satellite imagery, standardized ANSI practices, and built a comprehensive tree replacement program that turned pushback into community buy-in. The conversation covers how satellite imagery integrated with existing city systems to create visibility across the entire system, why Joe maintains both satellite data and a manual tracking backup system, how a free tree replacement program reduced resident complaints and improved urban canopy, and why requiring all crew members to become certified arborists elevated the entire team's capabilities. Joe also discusses the challenges of working with limited budgets, the importance of data-driven decision making, and how technology like AI and species identification is shaping the future of municipal vegetation management. From reclaiming overgrown rights-of-way to planting trees every Friday in the fall, Joe's approach proves that small utilities can achieve big results with the right strategy. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #SatelliteImagery #MunicipalUtilities #DataDrivenVegetationManagement #UrbanForestry #UtilityOperations #GridReliability #TreeWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Rick Johnstone, founder of IVM Partners and a utility vegetation management veteran with nearly 50 years of experience, joins hosts Phil Charlton, PH.D and Tej Singh to discuss how Integrated Vegetation Management goes far beyond cutting trees and controlling brush. Rick shares how his career evolved from forester at Allegheny Power and Delmarva Power to founding IVM Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to proving that rights-of-way can be managed as valuable habitat corridors rather than maintenance liabilities. He explains how working with federal and state agencies transformed his approach to vegetation management and why collaboration beats confrontation every time. The conversation covers how retaining native seed banks creates habitat for rare orchids, Blanding's turtles, and quail, how IVM programs can reduce wildfire risk by managing for low-growing, cool-burning plants, why utilities should view agencies as partners, and how Enable Midstream saved $500,000 annually while improving ecological outcomes. Rick also discusses his current work with wind, solar, natural gas projects, and railroads managing for monarch butterflies and pollinators. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #IVM #EcosystemManagement #HabitatRestoration #Pollinators #WildlifeConservation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Dean Mutrie, a veteran of the pipeline industry and keynote speaker at the upcoming International Symposium on Environmental Concerns and Rights of Way Management, joins hosts Philip M. Charlton and Brian Sprinkle to discuss his decades-long career in pipeline rights of way management. Dean shares how he transitioned from environmental studies to specializing in pipeline construction and regulatory filings, what he learned working on projects across Canada and the U.S., and why practical field experience is essential for environmental professionals. The conversation covers the evolution of the Rights of Way Symposium over 50 years, the growing complexity of pipeline development in today's regulatory environment, and the critical safety differences between pipeline and rail transport for oil and gas. Dean also discusses the challenges of balancing energy infrastructure development with environmental and Indigenous concerns, and why multidisciplinary collaboration at conferences like the symposium is more important than ever. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #RightOfWay #PipelineIndustry #EnergyInfrastructure #UtilityOperations #EnvironmentalManagement #SafetyCulture #InfrastructureDevelopment #RegulatoryCompliance #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Chris Rooney, Forestry Manager at Rhode Island Energy, joins us to discuss how legislation can be a powerful tool for utilities looking to deliver more consistent, effective vegetation management programs. Chris shares how Rhode Island Energy navigated a major corporate transition from National Grid to PPL Corporation and used that moment as an opportunity to advocate for state level legislation that formalizes their forestry planning process. He explains how the law brings municipalities to the table, enhances community notification, and creates a four year planning cycle with real stakeholder input. The conversation also covers managing a remarkably diverse urban forest across 38 cities and towns, building a Right Tree, Right Place program, and why collaboration with lawmakers, the PUC, and community partners is now central to Rhode Island Energy's vegetation management strategy. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #GridReliability #UtilityOperations #RightTreeRightPlace #EnergyInfrastructure #Utilities #UrbanForestry #StormPreparedness #SafetyCulture #UtilityInnovation #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Stan Vera-Art, President and Creative Catalyst at Grow With Trees, joins us to discuss how the industry is shifting from vegetation control to habitat creation. Stan shares insights from a cross-industry effort to develop an Infrastructure Land Stewardship Certification and explains how utilities and right-of-way managers are embracing a stewardship mindset. He discusses early pilot programs, biodiversity metrics, and how rewarding crews for habitat outcomes can strengthen retention and professional pride while transforming corridors into sustainability assets. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #HabitatCreation #RightOfWay #InfrastructureStewardship #Biodiversity #UtilityLeadership #Sustainability #WorkforceDevelopment #Utilities #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Don Adcock, Sr. Manager, Power Delivery Vegetation Mgmt Operations at Entergy, joins us to discuss how utilities are transitioning from traditional time-based vegetation cycles to more targeted, risk-based planning. Don shares how Entergy has evolved its approach in response to wildfire risk, storm exposure, regulatory pressure, and rapid load growth across the Southeast. He explains how circuit segmentation, condition-based triggers, and emerging technology help utilities focus resources where risk is highest while maintaining safety, reliability, and cost discipline. The conversation also covers contractor partnerships, regulatory coordination, and why vegetation management is now central to overall utility risk mitigation. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #RiskBasedManagement #GridReliability #WildfireMitigation #StormPreparedness #EnergyInfrastructure #UtilityOperations #SafetyCulture #UtilityInnovation #Utilities #ExecutiveStrategy #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipLessons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Megan Petraitis, Senior Program Manager at UIC Energy Resources Center, joins us to discuss how right-of-way lands are becoming critical habitats for pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumblebees. Megan shares how the Right-of-Way is Habitat Working Group brings together utilities, transportation agencies, and regulators to advance voluntary conservation through targeted vegetation management practices. She explains how conservation agreements create regulatory certainty, reduce costs, and support biodiversity while aligning with utility operations. Have a listen, hope you enjoy!   #VegetationManagement #PollinatorHabitat #UtilityArboriculture #RightOfWay #Monarchs #Bumblebees #Sustainability #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #Conservation #Utilities #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation #ExecutiveStrategy #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Jenna Turner, Manager Vegetation Management at Eversource Energy, and Kathleen Ferrier, Supervisor Transmission Vegetation Mgmt. at Eversource Energy, join us to discuss how the industry can better support women in utility forestry and leadership roles. Jenna and Kathleen share their experiences navigating a historically male-dominated field, the importance of visibility and mentorship, and how intentional recruiting, training, and culture-building can attract more women into UVM careers. They also highlight how conversations around inclusion are shifting, why early outreach matters, and how contractors, utilities, and leaders can create environments where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. Have a listen, hope you enjoy!  #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #WomenInForestry #WomenInEnergy #EnergyInfrastructure #Arboriculture #GridReliability #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation #Sustainability #Utilities #ExecutiveStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipLessons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.