Trees and Power Lines: Five Tips to Consider
Posted on: 5 August 2016
Trees and power lines can be a dangerous combination. If a branch falls on a power line, it could disrupt power to you and your neighbours or even cause injuries or fires. Wondering what you need to do to be safe? Keep these tips in mind:
1. Plant strategically.
If you don't have mature trees yet, you need to be strategic about where to plant them. Check into the height at maturity of the tree species you are planting, and make sure you don't plant trees near power lines if they'll eventually tower over the lines. Instead, keep tall trees to spacious and clear parts of your yard and leave the short trees and bushes for near your power lines.
2. Maintain and trim trees on a regular schedule.
If you already have mature trees on your property, make sure that you maintain them on a regular basis. Your trees should be cut and trimmed, particularly if they are hanging over power lines. Do a visual inspection of your trees, and in particular, identify trees that are dead or dying. They can be especially dangerous, and you may want to contact a tree lopping service.
3. Do not trim your own trees.
Ideally, you should not try to lop the trees yourself, especially if you are not experienced with cutting down trees. If you decide to take the risk and lop your own trees, make sure that you use fall safety equipment such as harnesses. Also, do not ever lean your ladder against a power pole or a power line.
4. Keep children out of trees near power lines.
Although it's important to encourage children to climb trees, you should not encourage them to climb trees that are near your power lines. Their weight on the branches risks breaking them and potentially pulling the branches down on the power lines. Additionally, if a power line swung loose in the wind, it could hurt your child. If you have a child who just cannot resist the trees, consider lopping the branches strategically to deter your child.
5. Keep an eye on neighbour's branches.
In addition to checking your own branches, you should also look at your neighbour's branches. If you see that certain trees need to be lopped, contact your neighbour and let them know. Alternatively, if trees are threatening power lines, you may contact the utility company as well to see what its reps advise.
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