Blue Ridge Energy is beginning to utilize more aerial tree pruning, a safe and environmentally friendly vegetation management practice approved by the ANSI (see video). With this method, helicopter pilots carefully conduct pruning along rights of ways. Trained employee “spotters” located on ground level of the right of way are in constant communication with the pilot. Used by utilities across the nation, this process is more cost effective, faster and less intrusive to homeowner’s property and the environment than traditional methods. As with our traditional right of way trimming method, property owners are notified in advance of pruning and debris is removed from maintained areas while in nonmaintained areas, debris is chipped or bush hogged to the ground.