Max Schaffer has lived in the same street in Armidale for 40 years and has seen many changes over the years. The fondness that he has for the beautiful landscape of the tree lined streets of Armidale has felt disappointment in recent weeks with the scheduled trimming of trees which have encroached on power lines. 

Contractors for Country Energy have swept through Armidale streets in what appears to be overly excessive pruning and in some cases nearly 4 metres away from the power lines.
Autumn colour for which Armidale is renowned will in some streets be lacking in what is usually a spectacular display. Max Schaffer has witnessed the trees in his street grow from small seedlings into mature street trees. 
“The general aesthetic and look of the street as well as the life of the trees has shortened in my opinion and we have lost some of the shade in the street” commented Mr Schaffer.
“We need council to be involved in the decision making as to how much a tree is pruned, just letting them have a free go is not on,” said Mr Schaffer.
Around three weeks ago contractors for Country Energy pruned trees in Fayle Street while Mr Schaffer and other residents looked on in disbelief. Feeling helpless and not wanting to cause a confrontation, Mr Schaffer later contacted Country Energy to discuss the situation, after the work was completed.
We spoke to Country
Energy who have released this statement.
“Country Energy is working with Armidale Dumaresq Council to determine if recent trimmed trees near power lines in Erskine, Niagara, Simmons and Taylor Streets, Fayle, and Jones Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Drive, need to be replaced with more suitable species.
Country Energy has apologised for the appearance of the trimmed trees, and will discuss its rigorous vegetation management guidelines, that include the use of techniques consistent with best practice in the industry, and are used throughout Australia, with its qualified external tree trimmers.
Vegetation must be managed near power lines to maintain safety to individuals and the environment, while maintaining the quality and reliability of the electricity supply.
In striking a balance between preserving trees, and ensuring power safety and reliability for the community, Country Energy spends approximately $150,000 annually in Armidale trimming trees”.
There is no questioning the professionalism and integrity of Country Energy in supplying electricity to the residents of Armidale. What is evident is the need for consultation between local government authorities and Country Energy prior to the task of tree trimming.
Max knows there is nothing he can do for his own street but hopes that this situation will secure other trees in other streets from a similar fate to his own. 

Story: Jo Harrison