Dear Island Neighbors,

Late this afternoon, we met with representatives of Dominion Energy, to discuss their recently initiated plan to cut down 247 of the Island’s palmetto trees thought to be potentially hazardous due to their proximity to electric lines. Numerous residents had voiced their dismay at the prospect of losing so many of these venerable (many 40 – 50 years old, or older) trees that define the Island.

Dominion has now agreed to immediately stop this cutting

program for further study. This pause will allow Dominion and the Town to re-examine the trees on the list, in order to identify those that might pose the nearest-term safety issues vs. those that do not.

For those trees that pose the more near-term safety issues, each tree will be assessed to determine the feasibility of transplanting it elsewhere. The Town and Dominion will work out plans for those that can be transplanted, and will also develop plans to address those that cannot reasonably be transplanted.

Next, the Town and Dominion will also identify approaches for those trees on the list that do not pose near-term safety issues.

I appreciate the willingness of the Dominion team to meet to hear our concerns. Even more, I appreciate their openness to a much more measured approach to managing potential conflicts between the Island’s electricity system and our iconic palmetto trees.

Palmetto trees are such an important part of the Island’s public realm, the state’s image, and the nation’s history. It was from a partly-built fort of palmetto logs at what is now Fort Moultrie that American patriots repelled an attack by the invading British fleet and secured the first such victory in the run-up to the Revolutionary War. That’s how the palmetto tree earned its place on our state flag, its recognition as our state tree, and its status as an instantly recognizable image of our state.

I agree with our residents that the palmetto tree deserves special treatment, especially on Sullivan’s Island!

Patrick M. O’Neil
Mayor
843 670 9266
@oneilpm1