Utility Line Clearance

Utility Line Clearance

Purpose:

The local utility company is responsible for maintaining safe and reliable electrical service to its customers. Trees growing near overhead lines can pose a threat to reliability and public safety, so trimming and removing trees along the "utility strip" is one important utility function.

Each tree is a valuable and integral part of the entire urban forest. Condition, vigor, size, and maintenance needs are items that require attention for the good of the community.

The goal of a utilities tree trimming efforts is that clearance be obtained between the power lines and the trees.

Approach:

We conduct a pre-job survey of the tree work along the line. This inventory identifies the amount of trimming and tree removal work required. Inventory information also helps allocate labor and equipment resources, and establish crew makeup and work practices.

"Round-over" or "topping" techniques of pruning are not acceptable standards for tree trimming. Topping causes more problems than it solves. Because the tree sprouts grow rapidly, the tree must be pruned frequently.

Lateral drop crotch pruning and side pruning produce few sprouts and natural growth rates. The next cycle of trimming requires fewer cuts than the topping approach, because the problem branches were removed and sprout growth has been slower. These methods are used both on trees growing beneath or to the side of utility lines.