TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Electric Company is in the process of cutting down trees to protect power lines from potential storm damage as hurricane season begins. However, some residents are frustrated and say TECO treats the felling of the trees as more of a legwork.
“The problem we have right now is they’re chopping trees on a massive scale,” said Susan Roghair, who lives in the neighborhood.
Roghair says she’s seen tree cutters felling old oak trees so heavily that she fears it’s damaging the trees and posing more risks.
According to TECO, they are known nationally for their tree felling efforts, which are overseen by arborists.
But local residents stopped when they saw 8 On Your Side and complained about the circumcision.
“I came out and talked to them. They said it was their orders from TECO. All you can do is call TECO and complain,” said Ben Stephens, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years.
“You cannot undo what has been done. It’s a shock to be honest,” he added.
According to TECO, the cuts are all about safety, but they’re also meant to balance the work with the aesthetics of the neighborhood. The utility disagreed with the account that the cut was “more severe,” some residents claimed.
Neighbors said they have now contacted the city government for advice in hopes of stopping similar tree felling in their area.
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https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-electrics-tree-trimming-has-neighborhood-in-an-uproar/
