The National Arbor Day Foundation has named NSTAR a Tree Line USA Utility for its outstanding tree care, worker training, and public outreach programs. The award specifically highlights NSTAR's commitment to natural tree pruning as its method of choice when trimming around electricity distribution lines.

?Being recognized nationally for our commitment to tree maintenance and electric service reliability is important to NSTAR and its customers,? said Paul Sellers, senior arborist for NSTAR. ?NSTAR's dedication to promoting the natural growth of trees along our community roadways, while at the same time delivering great service to our customers, earned us the recognition as a Tree Line USA Utility.?

NSTAR's tree maintenance program combines pre-planning by certified arborists and foresters, proactive community involvement, and natural pruning that replaces the outdated line-clearing practice of ?topping? trees. Natural pruning trains trees to grow around wires and retains more of their natural form. The results are healthier trees and a more effective program because natural pruning has to be done less frequently than topping. This successful combination has resulted in widespread acceptance of NSTAR's program by state and local forestry experts.

NSTAR transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including over one million electric customers in 81 communities and nearly 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. For more information, visit www.nstaronline.com.