MTE contracts with professional, licensed, and certified applicators to treat woody-stemmed vegetation, i.e., saplings, within the ROW.  By targeting woody-stemmed vegetation, grasses and flowers don’t have to compete for water and sunlight and can more freely grow in the rights-of-way. This prevents the trees from becoming dangerously tall and provides easier, unobstructed access to our power lines.

No, our contractors apply a grass-friendly, non-glyphosate product (glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup) to treat the woody-stemmed vegetation; all of the products used are “restricted” and are registered and approved by the EPA and state agencies.  The products are applied using low volume, backpack-mounted equipment to aid in precise application.

There are no adverse effects to animals/livestock when the product is used according to label directions.  All applications are performed using best management practices (per the Tennessee Department of Agriculture) with aquatic-approved application practiced near bodies of water. In fact, as herbaceous plants (plants that have no persistent woody stem above ground) continue to thrive in the ROW, the food supply for insect populations and birds increases, as well for as bees, butterflies and other animals.

MTE does offer members the option of joining our No Spray list. On properties where there is not a recorded easement on file and the owners do not wish herbicide to be applied, the owners must submit in writing to the Vegetation Program Manager their “no spray” request. MTE will then add the owners’ name to the “no spray” list. The “no spray” information is supplied to MTE’s herbicide applicator contractors.

If you have any questions or would like to join the No Spray list, please contact our vegetation management team using the information below.