Sometimes trees on our sidewalks, forests, and yards can come too close to the power lines. This can be a major hazard for people, properties, and trees themselves. Although trees are beneficial for the community, they can also pose a danger when they come into contact with the power lines.
Waterloo is rich in forests and tree species and the dangers of trees growing near power lines is not a strange subject. Tree pruning, tree cutting, and other tree services are extremely necessary in the region. People often take care of their own trees but they do not always know how to avoid the risks that come with the task. Which is why it should always be left to the experts.
Trees growing near the power lines can cause an electrical hazard, often creating a fire or explosion. Anyone in ground contact with a tree can suffer the damages by these hazards. Remember, if you are touching the object contacting a power line, you also become part of the path to the ground, therefore you might also get electrocuted.
There are numerous dangers associated with trees coming into contact with power lines, some of which are;
1. Trees growing near power lines create a path for electricity to travel under the ground.
2. Trees touching power lines can explode, catch on fire or electrocute people.
3. Anyone who encounters a path can be electrocuted.
4. Burnt or dried off branches can fall off a tree and be a hazard for by-goers.
Dangers can be avoided by planting strategically, tree pruning and choosing ideal trees. It’s important to assess the situation and plant the tree without future risks. If the contact of the tree branch and a power line is inevitable, then you should take some actions. Call for the professional help. There are great tree service companies in Waterloo, so you are in the hands of professionals.
What to do to Avoid Hazards
1. Plant smartly – Choose the right plants and the right place to plant them. Tree pruning can be a saviour in the future, but precaution is also good.
2. Remember to keep the distance – In Waterloo and many other places, recommended distance between trees and power lines, is minimum 2.5 metres.
3. Tree pruning – Call the professionals to prune your trees when they start growing closer to the power lines.
Tree Pruning – Why is it so Important?
Pruning is essential for every species of tree. It’s important for their proper growth, health, and beauty. Tree pruning is important for our safety as well.
Tree pruning is essential to ensure that trees are not growing too close to power lines. Even if a branch is not at an immediate risk on coming into contact with a power, larger branches high on the tree could break in bad weather, falling on the power lines in the process. Best way to avoid such dangers is to prune trees regularly. Even drastic measures can be taken if tree pruning is not helping; the tree needs to be removed.
What’s the Right Time for Tree Pruning?
In Waterloo, the municipality takes care of the tree pruning. The procedure is scheduled every 2 years. It is forbidden for citizens to cut down or prune trees that are in public places. You are only responsible for the trees on your property. This protects trees from diseases and infections too.
Some signs that a tree needs pruning:
1. Broken branches
2. Crossing branches
3. Deadwood
4. Wandering branches
5. Misshapen trees
After you read this article and want to take precautionary steps, call the professionals to action. For those, living in Waterloo region and Guelph, Martin’s Tree Services offers expert tree maintenance and removal. We service the tree safely, quickly and professionally. Before taking a risky step, we will assess the tree and then decide the proper treatment. All this to protect you, your property and the environment.
Steve Martin
