Tree Trimming and Compatible Vegetation

Why Tree Trimming is Sometimes Necessary

We understand how important trees can be to homeowners and to communities. After all, we’re proud of our province as well.

While we care for our green communities, we have an obligation to provide safe, reliable electrical service. Our ability to do that is affected by the growth of trees that could pose a danger to the power lines and the people we serve. That’s why it is necessary for us to trim trees that are too close to power lines.

For Your Safety… It prevents Electrocutions:

When a tree or a large branch falls onto a power line, as sometimes happens during storms, it can bring down the power line. If anyone touches a downed power line that is still energized, the result can be serious injury, even death.

In addition, because trees are full of sap, they are good conductors of electricity. Children can be electrocuted if they touch a tree limb that is too close to a power line.

It Prevents Fires:

When a tree branch contacts a power line, it can cause a fire.

It Prevents Power Outages:

Fallen trees can interrupt power to many customers. In some cases a tree can tear down the entire line and break the poles that hold the line in place. As well, a tree or even a branch that is merely in contact with the power line can cause a power outage.
 

Tree Trimming Techniques

Our Tree Trimmers are Professionals

Each tree trimmer working for Newfoundland Power is an experienced, trained professional. Tree trimming is carried out in the immediate vicinity of energized high voltage power lines and only by qualified personnel.

Never attempt to Prune Trees Yourself

Trimming trees around power lines should only be attempted by trained professionals. Serious injuries and even fatalities have occurred when untrained individuals attempt to do this work themselves.

How Much Will be cut from my Trees?

When pruning operations are performed, our trimming experts make every attempt to 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.

Kids and Electrical Safety

Electrical safety is our number one priority at Newfoundland Power. Nowhere is this more important than when it comes to kids. Children do not always know, or remember, what can be dangerous, so it is up to the rest of us to watch out for their safety.

The number one safety rule for anyone to remember is “Don’t come into contact with a power line or let anything come into contact with it such as a tree limb, kite string or model airplane.” Contact with a power line can be deadly!

Don’t build a tree house in trees near power lines, and be careful not to allow kids to climb trees growing near power lines. Teach them to tell an adult if their kite becomes tangled in a power line or if they discover damaged or downed lines in the area. Never attempt to touch an object tangled in a power line. Always call Newfoundland Power for assistance.

How can you help

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:
 

1. Visualize the tree at its full size height and width when preparing to plant.

2. Avoid planting trees near a power line.

3. 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. If there are underground power lines on your property, be sure to give Newfoundland Power a call before digging.