Vegetation & Power Lines

Vegetation management at home

BC Hydro has one of the best systems in the world for distributing power to the homes and workplaces of more than three million British Columbians. But when trees or tree branches come in contact with power lines, the result is trouble.

Tree contact or trees growing too close to electric power lines can create a severe public safety hazard and cause interruption of electrical and other services. Power lines broken or knocked down by trees or tree branches can be live and live wires can kill. Never approach a downed power line. Instead call BC Hydro immediately. To reduce the likelihood of such dangerous occurrences, BC Hydro spends millions of dollars a year on vegetation management programs.

BC Hydro generally does not clear service wires unless there is a serious electrical hazard. It is recommended that homeowners hire professional tree firms. If homeowners wish to prune their own trees, BC Hydro will remove the wire to allow the pruning to be done and reinstall it when the job is complete. In most cases there is no charge for this service. BC Hydro is responsible for and will clear all of the wires along the main power line.

Included in this section:

• Planting or pruning near power lines
• Cutting 'Christmas trees' under power lines
• Vegetation management at BC Hydro facilities
• Management plan for wood structure maintenance
• Addressing the mountain pine beetle infestation
• Pest management plan for distribution corridors

Planting or pruning near power lines

Trees account for more than half of all power interruptions in B.C. and tree damage to power lines can create severe public safety hazards, such as fires or electrocution. BC Hydro spends more than $20-million annually on tree and power line problems. Pre-emptive solutions include the removal of weak or hazardous trees, careful planting near power lines or transformers and regular tree pruning near power lines.

Cutting 'Christmas trees' under power lines

BC Hydro is not the owner of the land under power lines and cannot grant permission to cut trees. The Ministry of Forests and Range is responsible for issuing permits.

Policies vary from district to district, so customers are advised to contact the local Forest District Office directly to obtain the local procedure. These procedures generally range from:

• No tree permits issued (often the case in heavily used districts, such as Chilliwack)
• Tree permits issued with an accompanying map showing areas where cutting is allowed.
• These areas may or may not include rights of way.
• Tree permits issued for cutting on Crown land (including portions of BC Hydro right of way that are on Crown land).

Please keep in mind:

• Customers must obtain a permit from Ministry of Forests and Range, and adhere to the terms of that permit.
• Electrical safety is paramount. Do not cut any tree that is within or could come within six metres of any wire.
• If a permit refers generically to BC Hydro right of way, it is important for the customer to ensure that they cut on Crown Land. Many BC Hydro rights of way are actually on private land and customers must be sure they do not trespass.

Permit to operate a Christmas tree farm

Again, BC Hydro is not the owner of the land under power lines and cannot grant permission to cut trees. A prospective operator must obtain the proper permit from the Ministry of Forests and Range, agreeing to operate under the terms of that permit.

If the Ministry of Forests concurs with the cutting, the applicant then comes to BC Hydro to receive a BC Transmission Corporation permit that addresses electrical safety issues and other specific requirements.

Vegetation management at BC Hydro facilities

Weeds in and around BC Hydro facilities can cause hazards to workers and the general public. To effectively control weeds, BC Hydro uses Integrated Vegetation Management techniques. These techniques are described in the Pest Management Plan for Management of Vegetation at BC Hydro Facilities (Facilities PMP) [PDF, 282 Kb]. In March 2009, it was proposed to amend the existing Facilities PMP. The yellow highlighted portion of Chapter 1.4 Geographic Boundaries, Section 58(1)(a), covers the proposed additions to the plan.

Management plan for wood structure maintenance

To ensure public safety and electrical system reliability, BC Hydro contractors inspect wood power poles along distribution lines and carry out treatment if required. Poles that have been in service at least 14 years (lodgepole pine) and 20 years (western red cedar) are inspected, tested for strength, and treated near ground level with wood preservatives to prevent and/or stop decay. Untreated poles typically have a service life of only 30 years, while treated poles can last up to 70 years, conserving demand on our forest resources.

Wood preservatives used are approved and registered for utility wood poles by Health Canada. Contractors are certified and licensed by the B.C. Ministry of Environment [PDF, 82 Kb] and work is completed under the direction of BC Hydro, in accordance with BC Hydro's Pest Management Plan for Wood Structure Maintenance [PDF, 185 Kb].

Addressing the mountain pine beetle infestation

Large numbers of dead and dying mountain pine beetle-infested trees are threatening thousands of kilometres of BC Hydro distribution lines throughout the Interior. To mitigate those risks, BC Hydro has developed the Forest Health Issues Program team. This team works with landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to plan and implement the safe felling and management of beetle-infested trees.

Pest management plan for distribution corridors

BC Hydro has confirmed its Pest Management Plan for Distribution Corridors [PDF, 297 Kb] under the Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulations. The purpose of the plan is to ensure electrical system reliability, and health and safety for workers and the public in or around BC Hydro distribution corridors using integrated vegetation management methods. The plan covers distribution corridors, including their access roads or helipads, throughout BC Hydro's operating area [PDF, 140 Kb].