Trees and Utility Line Planning & Planting, Part 2
 | Author:
Patrick Plantenberg, Tree Board Chair
Townsend Tree Board Chair, Townsend Rotary Club |
Trees and Utility Line Planning & Planting, Part 2 Patrick Plantenberg, Tree Board Chair Note: This is the second in a series of articles to help prepare residents for any planned tree planting or pruning in their yards this coming year. The Townsend Tree Board is proud to provide this series of articles on tree planting and pruning considerations. A demonstration site on the northwest corner of D Street and South Walnut Street here in Townsend is being used.
In last week’s article we learned you must: • Understand the potential conflicts in the yard as trees grow including alley encroachment, utility line encroachment, growth over the neighbor’s property line, and growth over your home and sheds. And don’t forget about potential root impacts! • Do an inventory of potential planting sites. • Know the trees and their mature size before you purchase.
This week we will discuss how to get rid of problem trees under utility lines. As shown in last week’s article, the problem trees in the demonstration site were starting to encroach on the powerline. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when working near powerlines both below and above the ground. Please, understand the dangers of working near high-voltage powerlines. You as a homeowner cannot legally prune a tree within 10 feet of a utility line, including the service line going to your home. Only line clearance-qualified contractors with special training and insulated tools are legally allowed to work near powerlines. Working near powerlines can lead to serious injury or even death. Always stay at least 10 feet away from powerlines and follow the following safety tip:
• Look up before planting or pruning trees and work at a safe distance by always keeping yourself and tools at least 10 feet away from powerlines.
If you need to hire a tree worker for utility work on your property, always hire a qualified tree care service. Fortunately, NorthWestern Energy Company (NWE), the energy provider at this demonstration site, will come and prune the trees 10 feet away from the powerline so the trees can be pruned safely or removed. Vigilante Electric Cooperative also provides the same service.
As part of their vegetation safety work, NWE and Vigilante maintain required safety clearances around transmission and distribution powerlines in their service areas. However, you are responsible for the maintenance of the service wire that runs from the utility line to your home. You can call NWE at 1-888-467-2669 to request a free temporary service disconnect so you or a contractor can safely work around the service wire that connects to your home. Vigilante Electric Cooperative also provides this free service. Please call Vigilante @ 1-800-221-8271.
At the demonstration site, the Tree Board called NWE and within a couple of days, NWE reduced the height of the trees so we could remove them safely. If the trees are not removed, within several years they will be right back in the powerline again. The best long-term solution at this demonstration site is to remove the trees. You as a homeowner can negotiate with your utility provider to have a tree removed rather than have it pruned regularly by the power company. The Tree Board has provided this service in the Townsend area. We will work with the homeowner and utility to identify a problem tree and have the utility prune the tree out of harm’s way. Then the homeowner hires someone to remove the tree and stump (if needed). NWE provides a voucher at a local nursery for a replacement tree.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Pat Plantenberg
Image 1 Caption: Reduced Height of Trees To Avoid Power Lines
