Page 16 July 2011 SRP and Arcadia residents are at odds over how to prevent neighborhood-de fi ning date palms from harming power lines. Photos by Elias Tolano. By Elias Tolano In the Mountgrove neighborhood of Arcadia, hundreds of nearly century-old, black-sphinx date palm trees tower 30 feet high, creating an heirloom oasis not seen anywhere else in the world. Residents proudly embrace this unique natural wonder that long predated their homes and now lines their streets and alleys. The soft, creamy fruit produced by the trees are also one of the Valleys’ most rare and historic crops. But in a classic man vs. nature con fl ict that began last January, about 60 of the palms face removal from utility Salt River Project because they are dangerously close to power lines; a violation of state law. The safety restrictions law prohibits activity, such as operating mechanical or hoisting equipment, within 10 feet of overhead lines. The dilemma has sent dozens of Mountgrove’s residents, including some who have lived in the neighborhood for 30- plus years, into a gridlock with SRP as they look for a way to save the cherished trees. Despite neighborhood meetings, a solution is still far from being reached. “We’ve had a couple meetings with SRP,” said Dick Malone, who has lived in Mountgrove since 1954. “But we are still in the discussion phase and nothing has been decided.” SRP spokesperson Scott Harrelson said fi res and blackouts are an increasing concern because of the trees’ proximity to power lines, and that one fi re has already occurred in the neighborhood because of the interference. SRP of fi cials also said the danger is heightened during the monsoon season because of strong winds and lightning. The utility has performed a courtesy trim for this monsoon season but it will only last a few months. “It’s a temporary band-aid,” said Harrelson. In January, SRP sent letters and made phone calls to Mountgrove’s residents telling them that representatives would be sent to discuss removing the trees. SRP community-relations representative Stephanie Winn said the fi rst instinct is to remove trees too close to power lines. Some residents felt like the move was hasty, however. “They approached us like it was already a done deal,” said resident Erica Schlather, who hand-pollinates dozens of the trees and sells their delicate fruit at the downtown Phoenix Public Market. “We wanted more meetings to discuss.” One topic of large discussion is SRP’s tree-trimming schedule, which was changed from every two years to three years. The move was done to cut costs for the utility and customers. It is expected to save about $700,000 from the SRP’s $4 million annual costs in clearing trees and brush from power lines across the state, according to an Arizona Republic article. Residents want SRP to increase its maintenance schedule, but the utility said it has no bearing on the situation because the trees have grown too close to power lines for a proper trimming, and the state law is also a factor. “There is a reliability issue with power outages, safety issues for people trimming the trees, and state law also comes into play in that,” said Harrelson. About two-dozen of the trees can be maintained but because of their proximity to power lines, a licensed contractor would have to perform the trimming twice per year. The professional work done by Asplundh Tree Expert Co., certi fi ed to work within 10 feet of power lines, would cost homeowners $1,000 a year for each tree. Residents have regularly paid private trimmers about $50 per tree. Mountgrove homeowners would like SRP to compromise their newly adopted trimming policy in order to preserve the unique grove, but SRP has said it would be unfair to grant preferential service to one segment of customers. The next neighborhood meeting is about three weeks away. The black-sphinx palm tree came to the Valley as a hybrid that evolved from date palms originally imported from Arabia in the 1920s. The fruit reached its peak of popularity in the 1950s but is still sold at Whole Foods and the Sphinx Ranch Gourmet Market on Scottsdale Road. Most of the fruit is harvested in the Mountgrove neighborhood. Mountgrove neighbors in battle to save date-palm trees

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