Spare their trees from clear cutting

(This is a copy of a letter delivered to Matanuska Electric Association officials.)

I would like to voice a concern of mine and a couple of my neighbors concerning the “clear cutting” program in the Palmer area.

It is my understanding that a local tree service has been contracted to clear cut everything near the power lines this year.

I have lived in our beautiful town of Palmer for 41 years, 36 of which is at my current location. One of the reasons we chose living in this area is the beautiful trees. I have 27 trees in my yard and there are 11 on the west border of my yard, and this line of trees continues on south across the neighbors’ yards. We LOVE our trees and they form a gorgeous barrier between our neighborhood yards.

In the past the trees have been “trimmed,” but have not been clear cut to the ground, to keep the longer branches out of the power lines. This could be done again, topping the trees so they will not grow into the lines, but not just plain murdering them. I am very upset over this kind of cutting — everything to the ground.

I have argued with everyone I possibly could to save these trees and have even spoken to two tree experts, one being an arborist, who says YES they can be trimmed.

The only thing I have not done is chain myself to the tree to prevent it being cut to the ground. I know a couple neighbors would agree.

Is there any way possible we could have them trimmed and not killed? How would you like it if your trees were over 45 years old and were beautiful and all of a sudden they were cut to the ground and all privacy gone?

Please stop this cutting before it is too late.

Joyce Momarts

Palmer