Can I plant a tree over an electric line?

Never plant a tree near a power line that could grow within 25 feet of it. Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines.


Can you plant a tree over a power line?

Trees should not be planted under transmission lines, and only trees that reach a mature height of 12 feet can be planted within the border zone of the maintained right of way. Any trees planted within the maintained right of way require written authorization from your power company.

Can tree roots damage electrical lines?

Can tree roots damage underground power lines? Yep, and the harm is nothing but a headache. Roots can damage the protective coating found on underground lines, which can interrupt your or your neighbors' utility services.


How far should a tree be from a power line?

Always stay at least 10 feet away from powerlines and follow these safety tips: 1. Look up before planting or pruning trees and work at a safe distance by keeping yourself and tools at least 10 feet away from powerlines at all times.

What can I plant under a power line?

As a homeowner, you may be asking yourself what you can plant around power lines. Anything that reaches a max height of 15 feet is considered safe. Anything taller than that should not be planted under a power line. This generally means trees are a no-go, but shrubs and grasses are fine.


"Guidelines for Planting Trees & Vegetation Near Electric Lines" - unMetered 70



How close to underground power line can I plant a tree?

Avoiding nearby obstacles

Never plant trees or shrubs within 5 feet of an underground power line.

Do power lines devalue property?

In most situations, the proximity to high voltage power lines can lower your home's value by 10 to 30 percent. This varies depending on factors, including the voltage of the lines and whether there's a power station is nearby. However, more extreme situations can lower a property's value by as much as 40 percent.

What happens if a tree touches a power line?

“Trees conduct electricity and can create a safety hazard if limbs grow too close to electric lines.” Be sure that no one climbs a tree near power lines. If branches are touching the wires, the tree could be energized. Even branches not touching power lines could become energized if a child's weight is added.


Will a tree catch fire if it touches a power line?

Fire Safety: Trees in contact with high voltage power lines can act as an ignition source for fire.

How do power lines affect trees?

Trees don't have to physically touch an energized power line to be dangerous. Electricity can arc from the power line to nearby trees given the right conditions, such as a voltage surge on the line from a nearby lightning strike. This electric current can kill anyone caught near the tree and can cause a fire.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree root damage?

Tree roots

If your home is damaged by roots or you experience subsidence or heave, your home buildings policy should provide you with cover if you need to make a claim. You're not usually covered if a tree root blocks or causes a drain to collapse.


Who pays for tree trimming 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.

What trees can be planted near power lines?

Trees beneath Power Lines
  • Amur Maple (Acer tataricum sp. ginnala)
  • Apple Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora)
  • Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  • Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus)
  • Dogwood (Cornus sp.) – ...
  • Magnolia (Magnolia sp.) – ...
  • Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
  • Dwarf Crabapple (Malus sp.)


Why do trees avoid power lines?

The trees actually a poor conductor of electricity so very little current flows through it to the ground.


What causes a power line to catch fire?

Common Causes of Electrical Fires

Downed Power Lines: When a power line falls down, whether it's caused by a falling tree or another reason, it remains energized until the utility company shuts it off. If vegetation on the ground comes in contact with the high-voltage downed conductor, it can spark a fire.

How much does it cost to trim trees around power lines?

Generally, the price will range between $75 and $1,500. Topping a tree (a controversial practice, we should point out) up to 30 feet in height will cost $100-$300. For a tree 30-60 feet, plan to spend $175-$400, and $200-$1,800 to trim a tree over 60 feet.

What decreases property value the most?

These 19 things can hurt your property value
  1. Deferred or neglected maintenance. ...
  2. Home improvements done wrong or not built to code. ...
  3. Outdated kitchens and bathrooms. ...
  4. Shoddy workmanship. ...
  5. Bad or ugly landscaping. ...
  6. Frail or damaged roof. ...
  7. Noise pollution. ...
  8. Registered sex offenders in the area.


Do power lines give off radiation?

Power lines are one of many sources of electromagnetic fields in our environment. Power lines carry energy created by power plants to your home or business. The constant flow of electricity through these transmission lines creates low-frequency, non-ionizing radiation.

Is living next to a power line dangers?

Studies using magnetic field strength as an exposure measure have found that exposures greater than the range of 0.3 to 0.4 µT lead to a doubling risk of leukemia, with very little risk below this level. This exposure range is approximately equal to a distance of 60 m within a high-voltage power line of 500 kV.

Can you trim trees around power lines?

Never try to trim near power lines. Trees that grow close to power lines can create dangerous shock hazards, which cause injuries and could prove fatal. SRP prunes trees every so often to keep them a safe distance away from power lines.


Can you touch power line 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.

Can I remove a branch from a power line?

What Should I Do if a Tree Falls on My 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.

Does PG&E cut trees for free?

Pruning trees near service wires

Customers are responsible for maintaining the service wire that runs from PG&E's electric pole to your home, and PG&E will not prune trees or vegetation along that line. You can request a free temporary service disconnect so you or a contractor can safely work around the service wire.


Who is liable when a tree falls on a neighbor's property?

A tree belongs to the legal owner of the property upon which the tree trunk originally grows. A fallen tree will still belong to the original owner of the tree, even if those trees have now fallen onto neighbouring land as highlighted in a case called Mills v Brooker (1919).

Can tree roots grow through concrete?

Tree roots present an even bigger potential problem for concrete surfaces. They move through cement in the same way as smaller plants, but with much greater potential energy. Trees near your concrete areas could push roots beneath and through the surface, causing expensive damage and dangerous cracks in the slab.