Ashlie is a utility forestry specialist with AEP Ohio. While foresters are busy keeping power lines and equipment free of trees, she helps relay important information to customers about work happening in their community and answer any questions they might have. 

We spoke with Ashlie to learn more about her relationship with AEP Ohio customers and what else is important to her outside of work. 

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I’m a Columbus native. I may have gone to school at Fortis College, but I’m a Buckeyes fan through and through!

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Q: How did you join the forestry team?

A: I began as a contractor in the AEP call center. A few months after I started, I was offered a full-time position. After a year with the call center, I began my current role with the forestry team. During my four years with the company, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some wonderful people. I feel very lucky to be in this position.

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Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

A: I love working with our customers. Everyday, I learn something new about forestry work. Getting to share that knowledge with the people who need it is equally as exciting. Answering customer questions and relieving their concerns is gratifying to me.

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Q: What is one of the most common questions you receive from customers?

A: Our customers often call regarding debris on their property following tree work. Our crews remove branches and limbs from maintained and landscaped areas when doing regular clearing. Wood is left for the property owner’s use. In non-maintained areas, wood, branches and limbs are left to decompose naturally. For more info, check out our FAQs on tree trimming.

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Q: What is one thing you want customers to know about the forestry team and the work you do?

A: Foresters love trees. Most of them are certified arborists who have dedicated their lives to understanding how they work. Maintenance only happens to make sure our customers’ power stays on. 

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Q: What is something you enjoy outside of work?

A: Recently, I picked up photography. From capturing shots to editing them later on, the whole process is very relaxing. I don’t always feel like I know what I’m doing, but my kids – and the photos I take of them – inspire me to keep getting better. 

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Bonus: Check out these photos Ashlie snapped out of the AEP Ohio forestry team during a socially-distanced team outing last year.

Ashlie and our forestry team are committed to working safely and meeting the needs of customers — each and every day. Have a question about trees? Contact our forestry team directly at (614) 883-6987 or visit AEPOhio.com/Trees.

37 responses to “Meet the Forestry Team

  1. Hi Ashlie,
    About 4 years ago I contacted AEP about tree removal on my property. A representative came to my house and said they would remove the trees but it would be the following year due to the rotation schedule. He did return but said they could not remove them at that time because it was during the winter and could not get his trucks in my yard. These were tall pine trees and were leaning toward my house because all the back sides had been removed because of the power lines. Due to the perceived danger, I paid thousands of dollars to have 19 of them removed but still have 8 left that I would like to have someone look at for possible removal. I could not afford to have them removed.

    1. Hi Jim. I have passed your message along and you should hear from someone soon. Thanks for writing and have a nice day.

  2. Thank you for sharing this information! I appreciate this! Way to go Ashlie!

    I recently found a podcast called Oligies and they recently interviewed an arborist and I personally loved learning about trees.

  3. I did receive a message that you’ll be working in my area. I am hoping they’ll be working on the large tree in my back yard. I’m at 1117 22nd street and there is easy access to my back yard. my problem is that I’m out of town for four more weeks for medical procedures. I can have someone there if need be. but I don’t have any idea when they’ll be coming to my area. I would appreciate it if someone could call and give me an update or notice when you’ll be in my neighborhood. thank you so much!

  4. I’m looking for a point of contact at AEP to discuss tree trimming around a transmission line and tower in Northwest Guernsey County.

    1. Hi Susan. I have forwarded your question to our forestry team and someone will respond to you shortly. Thanks for checking in and have a nice day.

  5. AEP came onto my property to cut and trim trees.
    Now the area that they cut is infested with Polk weed.
    Can anything be done about this?

  6. I was wondering what you do with the wood after cutting the trees I have a need for logs and just wondered if you give it away or what u do with it?

    1. Hi Lucas. Thanks for the question. We chip the smallest branches and leave the wood for the homeowners to use as they please.

  7. I am 79 yrs. old and have lived in three houses on this block. There is one tree that the power company has been trimming on one side around the wires running through it long as I can remember. The tree is dead. It has one large limb on it that hangs over a garage and sidewalk. Tree is leaning in the direction of the building eventually tree is going to come down and will definitely fall on garage. I feel that it would be a good gesture for the power company to at least remove the limb being as they are the only ones cutting on it. The tree is in Wellsville Ohio 43968 on Commerce Street between pole #01029B4-130 and #OP1029B4- tag is damaged can’t read it all. There are the numbers 820 on the pole also which would of been the house address of the former house

    1. Hello Mr. Jarvis. Thank you for reaching out. I have provided your information to our forestry team. Someone will be in contact soon to help answer your questions.

    2. Have not heard from AEP about tree. There are young children that play in the area of this tree and limbs are always falling. Children are endangered along with property, there are 2 garages that stand to be destroyed if tree falls. thank you again for your time. I would send pictures if I had an address to send them to,

      1. Hi David. I’m so sorry, I don’t know what might have happened with this. I have sent your note to our forestry team, so they will look into this very soon. Thanks — we appreciate your patience! Have a nice day.

  8. Hello AEP is going to trim our soft maple at 2171 Zircon St NE Canton OH. We called the number you left on our door and spoke to David who said they can’t take the tree down because it would be an all day job. The tree core is filled with ants we have paid thousands to rid the ants and they still prevail. We have lived here 10 years and you have trimmed it 3 times. Two branches fell this winter and damaged our pool. The leaves when blooming are ridden with black holes. The roots are all the way to the neighbors houses who struggle with ants and falling branches as well. I would even be willing to share the cost of removing this tree its far too big for a small lot that we have here. They are going to be in our area starting the week of April 18 and said it could go on foe several months. Can we please discuss further options on this tree that has stressed me out for years please?

    1. Hi Janice. We are sorry to read about your troublesome tree. We are forwarding your message and email address to our forestry team for someone to reach out.

  9. How do I get the right away for the power lines cleaned up I’ve been on the waiting list for 3 years now and the problem has now got to a danger stage for me and my family please help !!

    1. Hi Barbara. I apologize for the delay in getting this resolved. I have forwarded your inquiry to our Customer Solutions Center so hopefully they can provide a better update for you.

  10. They came and cut down 75 feet worth of trees and left the whole works laying on my lawn. This was exactly a week ago. I need them removed asap it is destroying my lawn. I am supposed to be having my grand daughters birthday party outside on my lawn on the 07/17. How can I do that when I have stacks of trees allover my lawn. Please can someone give me a day when they are coming.

    Thank you,
    Julie Lengle

    1. Thanks for letting us know, Julie. A representative from our forestry group will be in touch with you shortly.

  11. Hello! My husband and I would like to add on to our garage, but we need several trees taken down in order to do so. We have had 3 tree guys come out and all 3 have said that they won’t touch them because of the power line. The 3rd guy finally explained that a certification is required to take down trees that are within 10 feet of a line. He suggested we reach out to AEP to have the trees removed. Please advise!
    Also – the voicemail for your phone number is full!

  12. Hello-

    We were told over a year ago that our trees in the backyard were obstructing the power lines and that AEP would remove the limbs. However, we have not heard anything or been contacted. I understand you guys may be busy but I was wondering if we could get a estimate time of when this may be taking place?
    339 South James Rd Columbus, Ohio

  13. Need some tree limbs trimmed from the power lines along an easement. 969 Greenridge Road, Columbus Ohio 43236. I understand that AEP does this. Trying to be proactive before winter ice takes the limbs into the wires and we have a neighborhood power outage.

  14. I have been several months trying to get aep to top a tree that they marked that has power lines entwined in it. I have to add on a first floor bedroom due to mobility issues and the tree is holding up progress. I have left several messages over weeks for John smith who has not returned a single call. Who else can I call?

    1. Hi Barbara. I’m very sorry for the delay around this. I don’t know the full story but I will look into it right away. Expect a call soon. Thank you for being patient.

  15. Hello. I’m in need of tree trimming between my house and the house next door that have overgrown the power lines etc. it is a real mess. I wonder if someone from the forestry department would come out and trim it

    1. Hi Bridget. I have sent your request to our forestry group and someone will be in touch with you soon. Thanks for letting us know.

  16. Good morning. I received a recorded phone call on the way home from work lastnight that you were trimming trees in our area. I live in Newark Ohio. On Kelly Lane, off Horns Hill Rd, there are multiple trees literally laying on powerlines.. They have been that way for almost 3 years now. I noticed your trucks are in the area trimming the trees. Any chance one of your people could look into trimming them?

    1. Hi Kerri! Thanks for alerting us. I have sent your message to our forestry team, and you should get a response from them soon. Have a great day!

  17. Hello!

    I noticed there are contract tree clearing crews (not Asplund who were here last month) on the COTC/OSUN property west of Country Club Drive in Newark Ohio. There is a residential right of way there and wanted to see if they are going to be clearing a path for AEP crews to use behind the properties the length of Pleasant Valley Drive. It is good news if so, as it doesn’t look like it has been maintained in many years. Nothing pressing just hopeful in the event future maintenance is needed.

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