This Arbor Day, PECO Reminds You to Select the Right Tree for the Right Job

PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
It was in 1854 that J. Sterling Morton gazed with despair at the
treeless, empty Nebraskan Territory vista and decided that what this
country needed was a holiday honoring trees. Thus, Arbor Day was born.
At its inception, Morton's Arbor Day was about planting specific types
of trees for specific tasks, such as for windbreaks on a gusty
prairie. That idea resonates still.

This year in Pennsylvania, Arbor Day will be observed April 25.
Each year PECO uses Arbor Day as an opportunity to educate its
customers about the values that trees can bring. Planting the right
tree in the right place can enhance property values and increase a
home's energy efficiency year-round.

When planting trees, PECO advises shorter, flowering trees such as
dogwoods and crabapples be situated near the street. These trees
generally grow between 20 and 30 feet tall. In all cases, it is best
to site new trees in a way that they will stay clear of any overhead
power lines. Tips on tree selection and planting are available at
www.arborday.org.

Evergreens, such as Eastern Hemlock, Pennsylvania's state tree,
are most suitable on the property's northern side as a windbreak.
Large deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the autumn, can be
planted on the south and west sides of a house or other building to
provide winter sunshine and summer shade. Shrubbery planted around air
conditioners can also shade the unit from harsh summer heat.

"Trees can be a wonderful asset and should be carefully selected
and sited," said Doreen Masalta, director of Vegetation Management for
PECO. "The proper species of tree for local conditions and its proper
placement can ensure healthy growth and beauty for years. They can
enhance our landscape, help block the wind, and shade buildings from
the intense summertime sun. Overall, trees make a positive
contribution to the environment, and help us all save energy."

PECO spends more than $35 million each year on tree maintenance
across the region to prevent tree-related power outages.

PECO surveys trees along all of its distribution lines and
performs tree maintenance as necessary for clearance and electric
service reliability. Additionally, the company receives more than
10,000 customer requests for tree maintenance each year, typically
situations in which trees are growing into power lines. For more
information, visit www.peco.org, keyword "tree and vegetation
services."

PECO also conducts circuit patrols routinely after major storms
and each spring looking for potential problems. "Our job is to keep
the lights on. We're working real hard to improve our level of
service, and vegetation management plays a key part in that," Masalta
said. "For anyone thinking about new trees for their property, think
before you plant, and keep in mind how a tree will eventually grow."

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility
subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE:EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million
electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern
Pennsylvania and employs about 2,500 people in the region. PECO
delivered 78.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 39.9 billion
kilowatt-hours-hours of electricity in 2007. Founded in 1881, PECO is
one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate
citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to
numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic
development and community programs and organizations.

PECO
Ted Caddell, 215-841-5555

Copyright Business Wire 2008