Alabama Power recently joined hands with residents of Cottonwood to help replace many of the trees that were destroyed by a devastating EF-2 tornado on Jan. 9, 2024.

Since the storm hit more than a year ago, the ecosystem of oak trees that once graced the small town are gone.

David Norwood, Community Relations manager for Alabama Power’s Headland Business Office, and Utility Arborist Philip Lambert of the Southeast Division Office spent about four hours distributing seedlings and offering tree-planting advice to residents, including many students. Nathan Butler, an agriscience teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor at Cottonwood High School, collaborated with Alabama Power on the project.

Cottonwood’s FFA chapter helped with the setup. “They also allowed several of the agriscience classes to join us and learn more about trees and planting techniques,” Norwood said. “The sixth graders at Cottonwood Elementary School also stopped by to pick up some seedlings and learn more about the proper way to plant them.”

Alabama Power’s Vegetation Management team bought seedlings that are native to the area, including dogwood, river birch, white oaks, and other varieties. While handing out the plants, Lambert and Norwood took the opportunity to share facets of the company’s business, such as power delivery and rights-of-way handling. They also gave guidelines for planting the right tree in the right place, which helps protect families, power lines, and underground service conductors that serve homes. Lambert, who is certified through the International Society of Arboriculture, also discussed the company’s best practices for vegetation management.

“The collaboration between the APC Vegetation Management team, the town of Cottonwood, and the Cottonwood FFA chapter was great,” Norwood said. “We wanted to do something for the people of Cottonwood. We want to be involved — it is part of our mission to help the communities that we serve.”

Courtesy of Alabama News Center