LEXINGTON, Ky. — Some Kentucky families could soon lose a vital piece of their neighborhood, the trees that provide them with shade and cleaner air are set to come down. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky Utilities announced plans for tree removal in six Lexington neighborhoods

  • KU’s tree candidates are at, above 15 feet, with recommendation of arborists

  • Ann-Whitney Garner owns Fields to Forest, plants thousands of trees

  • Garner has lived on her property since 2008

Any tree at or taller than 15 feet could soon come down in Lexington, including those inspected by arborists who believe trees will surpass the 15 feet height requirement.

“We do not just see a tree. We see the kind of tree it is and not just the kind of tree it is but all of the life that it supports. It is not just one tree that is being cut down, it is a whole ecosystem that is affected by that,” said Garner

That is if it sits in a more than 13 mile stretch where Kentucky Utilities (KU) have power lines.

“Within the wire zone, the standard that we use is at 15 feet. One clarification I guess I want to make is that it is at mature height, so it is not necessarily based off the height of the vegetation at any particular time. It is based on the arborist's assessment of what it is going to be at mature height,” said Burns.

If the tree is in someone’s yard KU will compensate homeowners for tree removal, the power company says they will replant the trees elsewhere. Mayor Linda Gorton and some council members do not want to sacrifice the city’s tree canopy.

“We clearly recognize the importance of our electrical service, of reliable electricity, we all get that. Some of us were two weeks without it in 2003 in the ice storm. I personally believe that in most cases we probably do not have to totally cut down trees to get to that, so that is what I am asking them to consider.” said Gorton.

Ann-Whitney Garner says she has spent years planting thousands of trees across her 20 acres and fears replanting would not immediately help.

“When I flip on a light, I want my light to come on, so I get it. I get that there is a cost of running a company. However when you clear cut trees you cannot just plant smaller trees there, it takes a number of years, a whole generation to recreate what you had before,” saif Garner.

KU plans to remove trees in at least six neighborhoods including 1.23 miles of the Lexington Plant (Loudon), 4.57 miles of American Avenue(Reynolds, Higby Mill), 0.72 miles of Lexington Plant (Parkers Mill, Pisgah), 3.89 miles of American Avenue (Parkers Mill, Higby Mill), 2 miles Loudon Avenue (Avon EKPC) and 1 mile of Loudon Ave (Avon EKPC at Haley Pike).

“Native trees are so important because they are a part of an ecosystem and everything kind of lives in that cycle. Just start where you are, start with what you can take care of and make a difference that way,” said Garner.

Mayor Linda Gorton is calling for a 30-day moratorium on tree cutting to give the city time to study and consider the request. Lexington has been a recognized “tree city” for the past 33 years. That means meeting five requirements including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor day. 

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