How We’re Redefining Routine (Part 1)

The Top 5 Strategic Advantages
of Smarter Vegetation Management.

By Nick Furman, Xylem Field Reporter.

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Smarter Vegetation Management Starts Before the Storm

There’s a man standing in waist-high brush, speaking intensely into a phone. I’m watching him explain to a dispatcher why no one can reach the downed line, because the access road disappeared three summers ago under six feet of green. Nearby, a utility truck is half-submerged in a ditch, and mosquitoes the size of golf balls buzz past a cracked pole. As I watch it all unfold, one thought keeps echoing: this doesn’t have to happen.

Let me back up. I’m Nick Furman from Xylem Tree Experts. In the last few months, I’ve stood on job sites, talked with our folks in business development and ops, and learned firsthand what separates strategic vegetation management from a basic trim job. The truth is: almost anyone can clear a line. Not everyone can prevent a crisis.

Our customers don’t hire us just to cut limbs. They bring us in to protect infrastructure, avoid outages, cut costs, and reduce chaos. And they do it because we come equipped—not just with saws and bucket trucks—but with training, tech-powered operation, and a plan. This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about getting ahead.

So, let’s get into it. This is Part 1 of our two-part series on the top five strategic advantages of our smarter approach to vegetation management. Here are the first two.

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1. Predict Problems Before They Happen

Strategic Benefit: Outage prevention through proactive detection and integrated tech

Trees and power lines do not get along. One grows wherever it wants. The other has zero interest in playing footsie with limbs. It’s a toxic relationship—one that costs utilities millions every year in outages and emergency response. That’s where our version of routine vegetation management comes in.

Sure, we trim. But we also train our crews to be eyes in the field. If they spot a cracked pole, a frayed guy wire, or anything suspicious, they document it on the spot through GPS-enabled mobile devices. We capture photos, flag hazards, and send real-time alerts back to utility customers, all while still on-site. No guesswork, no delay.

As Tucker Miller, Director of Central Office, puts it: “Maybe we spot something they missed and alert the utility before it happens. Take a picture on our device and send it to the customer. Tech allows us to be proactive.”

This is what makes us more than a line clearance contractor. We’re a field intelligence partner, helping you stay ahead of outages, protect your infrastructure, and make smarter decisions with better data. The savings? They’re measured in fewer truck rolls, less downtime, and one less press release about a neighborhood without power.

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2. Cut Chaos, Not Just Trees

Strategic Benefit: Fewer emergency calls, lower costs, more predictable ops

Storms are inevitable. Scrambling shouldn’t be. With Xylem’s proactive approach, storm prep starts long before the wind howls. Our teams regularly identify and remove hazard trees, clear encroachments, and keep circuits accessible. We’re not just preparing for storms, we’re shrinking their impact before the first cloud rolls in. And when things do go sideways? You want a partner with a plan, not just a chainsaw.

That’s why we’ve built an entire storm response infrastructure around clarity and coordination. Our storm center links utility reps directly with field supervisors—live. That means faster decisions, better deployment, and fewer middlemen when seconds matter. As Tucker said: “The way we run storm response is we have a storm center. Direct access between team leads and the customer, so there’s no confusion. It helps both sides.”

This precise, tactical approach means:

• Less overtime and crisis labor
• More restful weekends for ops managers
• Fewer headlines about surprise outages

You can’t stop the storm. But, with  Xylem’s strategic vegetation management, you can stop the scramble.

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Coming Up in Part 2…

We’ve covered how smarter vegetation management keeps outages at bay and storm chaos under control. But we’re just getting started.

In Part 2, we’ll demonstrate how our approach saves money, protects the environment, and boosts long-term reliability in ways spreadsheets don’t always capture.

Wait ‘til you hear about the innovation we have waiting for you.

See you in the brush.
—Nick