Does Idaho Power Trim Trees?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Does Idaho Power trim ? To help keep trees away from our lines,

we hire qualified line-clearing contractors to prune trees on a regular maintenance cycle

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Who is responsible for trimming trees around power lines?

Trimming trees and vegetation around the utility's power line that connects a person's home to the utility pole is generally viewed as being the responsibility of

the homeowner

. This power line is called the “service drop.”

Can I trim a tree that is touching a power line?

Unless you plan on getting electrocuted, you should NOT touch,

let alone prune a tree that's in contact with power lines

! Just touching a branch that's touching a wire can cause a fatal injury.

What do you do when trees grow on power lines?

How close to power lines can you cut trees?

Remember: Trimming trees within

10 feet

of a power line can be fatal. Never trim branches or limbs near a power line. It's the law: only OSHA-certified line clearance workers are authorized to trim near power lines.

Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines Qld?

Who Is Responsible for Tree Limbs on Power Lines in Queensland?

Electricity entities

in Queensland are responsible for trimming or removal of trees near their overhead electrical lines. This is according to current Queensland electrical safety guidelines.

Why did PG&E not trim trees?

PG&E and our tree contractors do not have the authority to remove wood

because the trees on your land are your property

. As a courtesy, tree crews cut larger limbs into more manageable lengths and leave wood on-site for customer use.

How far should tree branches be from power lines?


Your tree's branches should never get within 10 feet

of power lines at the absolute closest. If your property includes trees that are within 50 feet of power lines (even if they're 15 feet or shorter), it's recommended that you get them trimmed regularly – about once a year or so if the tree is relatively young.

Can I remove a branch from a power line?


Under no circumstances should you try and remove a branch or tree from a power line by yourself

. Power companies have employees that are specifically trained to do this and have special equipment to protect them from electrical shock.

Why do birds not get electrocuted on power lines?

When a bird is perched on a single wire, its two feet are at the same electrical potential, so

the electrons in the wires have no motivation to travel through the bird's body

. No moving electrons means no electric current. Our bird is safe, for the moment anyway…

Do trees naturally grow away from power lines?

We were surprised to find that maple trees growing up under power lines were profoundly influenced by the lines.

They tended to develop a bifurcated “Y” formation as the limbs seemed to grow away from the lines themselves

. We call this effect “electrobonsai” because it looks like it might have been shaped by humans.

Does Edison cut trees?

Southern California Edison is out in the neighborhoods trimming, and

in some cases cutting down, trees

as part of its program of ensuring public safety and electricity reliability. “We have regulatory clearance requirements that we have to maintain at all times,” said David Guzman, manager, SCE vegetation management.

How do you cut live power lines?

Why are power lines bad for your health?

Exposure from power lines.

Several studies have analyzed the combined data from multiple studies of power line exposure and childhood leukemia:

A pooled analysis of nine studies reported a twofold increase in risk of childhood leukemia among children with exposures of 0.4 μT or higher

.

Can you touch power lines to house?

Misconception #2: Power lines are insulated, so they're safe to touch. This is a common misconception that many people have about power lines. Power lines are not insulated and

you should always avoid contact with them

. It is quite possible for people to get electrocuted if you touch power lines.

Who is liable for overhanging trees?

The tree belongs to

the person upon whose land it has originally grown

. Even if its branches or, worse still, its roots have begun to grow over or into a neighbour's territory, it belongs to the landowner where the tree was originally planted.

Can my Neighbour make me cut down a tree?

If you own the tree or hedge


Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary

. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.

Is there a height limit for Neighbours trees?

Can PG&E come on your property?

How do you cut a tree on the ground?

How do I complain to PG&E?

Then,

call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000

.

Can electricity travel through a tree?


A live tree conducts electricity because of its sap and water content

. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. You can become electricity's path to the ground if you are touching water that touches electricity. Electricity travels through the water and through you to the ground.

Can trees be in power lines?

How far should tree branches be from house?

When trees are too close to your home, the roots can destroy your foundation, and branches hanging over your roof can cause a whole range of problems. As a general rule, trees should be at least

10 to 20 feet

from your home, but the exact distance depends on the size of the tree, its canopy and its root system.

Why do squirrels not get electrocuted on power lines?

Electrical Conductors

When squirrels walk on power lines,

electricity would not travel from one end of the wire to the other faster by traveling through the squirrel

, so the electricity and squirrel both continue on their paths.

How do you remove tree branches from power lines?

Trees near power lines need to be

trimmed by either yourself or your utility company to about a 15-foot minimum distance

. If the tree is on your property then it's your responsibility to have it trimmed. If it is on or partially on public land it's up to the power company.

Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines NZ?

Why are red balls on power lines?

Well, those balls are

visibility markers

. They weigh about 17 pounds each, and you will often find them near mountain passes, in deep valley areas, near major freeway crossings and around airports. Visibility markers are placed on power lines to make the conductor crossings visible to aircraft pilots.

Why do electricians work with one hand?

How do linemen not get electrocuted?

What is directional pruning?

Directional, or target pruning,

removes only the limbs that will come in contact with energized conductors

. It removes branches at a joint, or lateral, of a limb, where the tree would be likely to lose a branch under natural conditions. At this lateral, the tree's natural defenses protect against disease.

What kind of trees are used for power lines?

How far should you plant a tree from a gas line?

Trees, large shrubs, and plants with a woody stem, such as manzanita and juniper bushes, should be planted

at least 10 feet

away from the gas pipeline, and 14 feet for larger trees.

Can I remove a branch from a power line?


Under no circumstances should you try and remove a branch or tree from a power line by yourself

. Power companies have employees that are specifically trained to do this and have special equipment to protect them from electrical shock.

How do you cut limbs on a powerline?

Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines NZ?


Distributors (who run the local electricity networks and own power lines) and tree owners

are responsible for making sure trees do not affect public safety and the power supply. Only qualified people can cut trees within four metres of any power line, including the service line to your property.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.