PSO Trims Trees Based On Projected Growth

The sights and sounds of spring. Workers out and about - trimming Winter's foes.

But for Terry Wiggs, it's a bad reminder of how empty his yard looks.

Terry Wiggs, Homeowner: "I was extremely shocked, and basically it ruins my back yard really. No shade what so ever now."

Last month P-S-O sent a notice telling him they were planning to trim some trees. He says he called them several times for details, but no one called him back.

Terry Wiggs: "The tree by the fence was you know, was about to intrude on the power line it was approximately a foot away from it, thats the tree I assumed they were going to do work on just by trimming or even cutting it down."

When he came home one day - a surprise. P-S-O also cut down the other two trees - only stumps remained.

He says those trees were 10 to 15 feet away from the power lines. So he called PSO again to complain

Rick Bewley, PSO Forestry: "The decision is made on how tall the tree will be at maturity, not how tall it is now. It's a preventative measure we've taken."

PSO says they it would have needed to cut those trees down within a few years. The company says its priority is to provide electric power - safely - so workers check trees every three years.

Rick Bewley, PSO Forestry: "We've purchased the rights forever to build and maintain the power lines and these transmission lines are crucial backbone for our electric service for all of Oklahoma so we have the rights to maintain them. That includes cutting trees down."

But Terry Wigg say he believes PSO made a mistake at his house, because many tall trees are still standing in his neighbors' yards...workers only trimmed them.

PSO says it does plan to cut down those trees, but admits there was a lack of communication with Terry Wiggs...something they try to avoid.

Terry Wiggs, Homeowner: "If you get a notice just make sure that if you have any concerns whatsoever in the slightest little bit, just call, and call, and call and call until they call you back and make sure exactly what they are going to do.

It's too late for Terry and his trees - which he says will take several years to replace, but he wants other homeowners to learn from his experience.