Local News
Oak Cliff residents not happy trees trimmed by Oncor 
01:44 PM CDT on Friday, July 3, 2009
Oncor's emergency storm pruning team was in Oak Cliff Thursday. It's a group of contractors that are trimming trees to give their power lines some breathing room.
The removal disturbs neighbors like Mary Clark who takes pride in her yard, and in the massive oak trees that her husband planted in the 1960's.
"They chopped them up and mutilated them," she said. "It looks devastating, when I open my door what I see is cable lines, when I used to see beautiful limbs."
Oak Park Estates was one of the neighborhoods that lost power 3 weeks ago when thunder storms ripped through the area.
"We understand everyone is emotional about their trees," Oncor Spokesman Jeamy Molina said. "We're not out to harm any trees, we're trying to prevent power outages from happening."
State law allows Oncor to cut down tree limbs that are within 10 feet of their lines.
The energy company says they inform residents before going in, but some believe they should do more.
"They're not even consulting with us on how they're going to cut the trees," said Maurice Franklin, who is one of Clark's neighbors. "They're just coming out putting down the wires and start cutting."
Neighbors say it lowers their property values and leaves behind an ugly mess.
"If they want the lines to be put underground, they have the option and they can talk to us about it," Molina said. "But it is at their expense."
Oncor says burying your lines can cost thousands of dollars.
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