SRP

Example of a Pygmy Date Palm tree, an appropriate tree species that will replace overgrown trees near power lines.

On Nov. 9, SRP started cutting down trees in Avondale that were a danger to power lines. But they'll be replacing them. 

Avondale and Peoria are two of the latest cities to join an Salt River Project Program to remove trees that cause danger to power lines. 

But for every tree they have to cut down, they plant more in their place. Other cities in the program include Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Glendale. 

Lori Jones with SRP says Avondale will come out with quite a bit more than they’ll lose. 

"Avondale is a pretty new city by and large and didn’t have that many encroaching trees in their municipality. We’re removing just 26 trees, but we are replacing them with 135," Jones said. 

The extensive use of pavement across the Valley has contributed to the heat island effect.  Magnifying temperatures during the day and reducing cooling overnight as the surfaces radiate heat. SRP has already started removing trees, and will start planting new ones on Nov. 15.

SRP

An example of a tree encroaching on a power line which will be removed as part of the SRP Right Tree Right Place program.