Cleveland County Man Loses 122 Trees to OG&E Power Line

NORMAN, OK-- A canopy of trees once created a shaded walkway on the edge of Mark Wagner's property, but in September, Wagner received an unpleasant surprise after OG&E workers paid a visit to his neighborhood.

"I came home that evening and these trees were gone," he recalled, "absolutely gone!"

Wagner counted 122 trees axed from his five acres near Lake Thunderbird in Cleveland County.  An OG&E power line runs through his property. 

"It was devastating," he recalled, "because of course they did it during the day, while I was at work."

Wagner says OG&E workers will typically trim branches to give clearance for the power line, but instead chopped the trees to the ground.  He estimates workers created $61,000 worth of damage to his property.

"I can recycle aluminum cans for a year, and not counteract even one of the trees they cut down," said Wagner.

Aside from cutting down his trees, Wagner says crews from OG&E also caused damage to his neighbors fence. 

Fox-25 contacted OG&E for an interview regarding Wagner's grievances, but as of Sunday evening, no one responded to the request. 

Wagner says he spent months trying to get OG&E officials to address his concerns.

"I'd really like to see the trees replaced," he said.

Wagner says while an OG&E power line sits in front of his home, he is not an OG&E customer.  His neighborhood is serviced by OEC.  Wagner says he will consider pursuing legal action against OG&E if the company does not compensate him for property damage.    Cleveland County Man Loses 122 Trees to OG&E Power Line

Posted: Monday, March 4 2013, 02:13 PM CST