Trees are precious to us. They can also be a challenge in providing safe, reliable electrical service which is why we maintain a three-metre clearance for public safety. Sometimes it is necessary to trim or remove those trees that are too close.
Public Safety and Trees
During storms, trees often fall onto power lines tearing down the entire line and breaking poles that hold the line in place. A tree or branch can even start a fire if it contacts a power line.
If you come across a downed power line, try to secure the area until we can arrive. Please call us immediately.
Also keep in mind because trees are full of sap, they are good conductors of electricity. Children can be electrocuted if they climb or touch a tree limb that is too close to a power line.
Don't Prune Trees Yourself
Trimming trees around power lines should only be done by trained professionals.
Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of trees or vegetation on private property affecting the secondary power lines. If you need to schedule a time to have your power temporarily disconnected in order to have maintenance done, please call 310-WIRE (9473).
How will the trees be trimmed?
We will trim sufficient clearance so that the tree will remain safe until we return on our next routine maintenance cycle.
Our trimmers are trained in proper pruning techniques and do their best to redirect growth away from the power lines while attempting to protect the health of the tree.
Trees with trunks in close proximity to power lines require much heavier pruning than trees which are located a greater distance from the line. Sometimes large growing trees close to power lines have to be pruned so severely that it becomes necessary to take the tree down.
Proper Planting is the Key
Sometimes our crews must make the difficult choice to severely prune or even remove a tree. All too often, the tree may have needed less pruning or would not have had to be removed if it had only been planted a meter further away.
With proper planning, you can have a variety of beautiful trees without having to worry about them conflicting with power lines in the future. When planting trees remember the following:
- Avoid planting trees near a power line.
- Visualize the tree at its full size height and width when preparing to plant.
- Plant large growing trees in an area where they will maintain a safe distance from the power line when fully grown and be sure to allow for wind sway.
- Avoid planting trees near underground power lines.
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