Pruning Near Power Lines

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In B.C., there are many tall growing trees that are too close to power lines. For safety, and to ensure reliable electrical service, they must be pruned repeatedly or removed. Any trees that might fall and hit power lines should be removed. Brush and immature trees, which will grow large enough to come in contact with overhead conductors, must also be cut back or removed. There are many things to consider when pruning near power lines.

What can you do to help?

• Don't approach a fallen line. Contact BC Hydro immediately!
• Be careful and aware of lines when pruning your own trees.
• Ensure that your trees are maintained and in good health.
• Be aware of which trees could grow or fall on power lines.
• Inspect trees regularly for flaws or signs of decay.
• When removing trees near power lines, use professionals or call BC Hydro for advice.
• When planting, don't plant tall-growing trees under or near power lines.

Why prune or remove trees

There are two very important reasons: public safety and to ensure you receive reliable electrical service.

1. Public safety

Severe public safety hazards can be created by trees near power lines. There have been many incidents of serious injury or death resulting from electrical contact caused by trees. This can happen in many ways:

• Trees can be conductive, which means they carry an electrical charge. A tree touching a power line can become energized and injury could result from touching the tree.
• Wires knocked down or broken by trees (especially during storms) can remain live, creating extreme danger from contact.
• Pruning or working in trees near power lines might result in inadvertent contact leading to serious injury or death.
• Children climbing or playing in trees near power lines can be extremely dangerous as contact with the line could cause electrocution.

2. Reliability

More than 25% of all electrical interruptions are tree-related. Millions of customer hours are lost each year due to trees. Not only are power outages inconvenient, but interruption of electrical service can endanger life through the failure of emergency or other electrical equipment. BC Hydro is committed to providing the best, safest, and most reliable electrical service to homes and businesses in all parts of our service area.

Tree control pruning

BC Hydro regularly prunes trees that might grow into power lines. These trees are generally pruned on an established cycle. The specifications call for pruning practices that will not only provide for safety clearances, but are also the best for the trees.

Studies in arboriculture (the care of trees) have shown that certain forms of pruning are much less damaging to the health of the tree than others. BC Hydro has adopted a standard that calls for "natural target" pruning, which may initially remove more of the tree canopy than some other methods and may appear excessive, but contributes to the health of the tree in the long run and prevents severe cutting.

Tree removal

BC Hydro is concerned with every large tree that might contact a power line, but is particularly concerned with "hazard trees", which have weaknesses or flaws that make them more likely to fall than others. BC Hydro vegetation coordinators are trained to identify such trees. If a hazard tree is located on your property, you will be advised and BC Hydro will assist with its removal. If requested, BC Hydro will also help with the removal of trees on private property, which need regular pruning to prevent them from growing into power lines or might become hazardous at a later date.

Stump treatment

When deciduous trees or brush are cut to the ground, BC Hydro would prefer to treat the stumps to decrease sprouting and avoid future problems – it's the "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" approach. Minute quantities of chemical applied directly to the stump can eliminate future regrowth, reduce future cutting and debris disposal, and allow natural low-growing vegetation to thrive. BC Hydro always uses certified applicators to ensure safe and proper application, and specifies techniques that minimize herbicide use and provide long-term solutions. These techniques reduce plant regrowth and further reduce the need for future herbicide use. BC Hydro always acquires permits for chemical use and never uses chemicals on private property without the property owner’s consent.

Alternative trees

BC Hydro, which heartily endorses planting trees, only asks that customers be aware of the power lines and consider the final mature height of the tree when planting.

Professionals working for you

BC Hydro’s vegetation coordinators are well-qualified vegetation specialists, trained in proper pruning methods and able to identify potential tree hazards. BC Hydro’s pruning work is done by contractors with fully trained and equipped staff. The contractors’ workers are trained in safety and proper pruning techniques. Their credentials and the safety of their equipment is checked by BC Hydro. These professionals are your allies in maintaining safe, reliable electrical service.

BC Hydro does not wish to remove trees unless they present a potential danger to our lines. If you have any questions about the trees on your property, call your local BC Hydro office. A BC Hydro vegetation coordinator will be pleased to help you.