Hutchinson Utilities Commission is one of 149 utility companies designated a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters.

Hutchinson Utilities, which was nominated by City Forester Mark Schnoebrich, is one of only four Minnesota utilities, and the only state municipal power company, recognized this year. All were listed in an ad in the March 19 Wall Street Journal.

The Tree Line USA program recognizes public and private utilities that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America’s urban forests.

Hutchinson Utilities has paid for a tree-planting program to help homeowners reduce heating and cooling costs, Schnobrich said. It also has almost completed putting most of its overhead wires underground, which benefits trees. Storm damage caused by trees being blown into lines is eliminated, and trees don’t have to be “topped off” to keep them out of the power lines.

Read more in the April 1 Leader.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)