SDG&E Celebrates California Arbor Week

In celebration of California Arbor Week, SDG&E joined Councilmember Marti Emerald and the Urban Corps of San Diego County to plant trees around Franklin Elementary School in Kensington.

Fifteen student leaders took on the task of planting the trees, and made a commitment to care for the trees as they grow.  The trees will also be cared for by a special watering club that was established at the school, and a number of Kensington volunteers. 

SDG&E’s “Right Tree, Right Place,” program played an important role in making today’s event a reality.  The program provides a free tree for residents who agree to the removal of incompatible species, such as eucalyptus and palm trees, growing beneath power lines. In some cases a resident may decline the new “right tree” and SDG&E will work with community organizations like Urban Corps to find the “right place” to plant the new tree around the community.

In addition to planting trees around the elementary school, Urban Corps presented a special SDG&E TreeSmart workshop where students learned about the benefits of trees and why these particular trees were selected for planting near their school.

SDG&E’s Vegetation Management Program manages approximately 415,000 trees, and annually prunes and removes approximately 175,000 trees throughout the region.  If you have a question or concern regarding trees near SDG&E power lines or poles, please contact SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343 for an evaluation. NEVER attempt to prune trees near power lines.