Massachusetts' Extreme Drought Is Bringing Down Trees

BOSTON (CBS) – The extreme drought hitting Massachusetts this year is so bad that it's causing trees to topple in the state, according to a utility company.

Eversource said Monday that it's working to remove trees that are showing signs of stress from the drought before they fall on power lines. But it's already too late for some trees in the Bay State.

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"It appears more trees are failing," said Bob Allen, who manages vegetation for Eversource, in a statement. "We have seen incidents where trees or branches fell onto power lines when the weather was nice."

According to Allen, drought-stricken trees are falling because the root systems that anchor them have been compromised.

Eversource notes that falling trees are responsible for 60 percent of all power outages. The utility says it will spend $23 million this year in Massachusetts to trim and remove trees that pose a threat.