Facts about Trees and Power Lines
Trees and vegetation growing in the power lines cause approximately 20% of unplanned outages to your power supply.
Trees and branches that are touching or near the lines, cause interruptions and fluctuations to your power, particularly during strong winds.
Trees in the power lines are a safety hazard, with the potential to cause injury or even death by electrocution if someone comes in contact with the tree. Trees and shrubs should be kept clear of the power lines at all times. Greater clearance is ideal given the rapid growth of many trees and will save trimming becoming a frequent chore. Felling unwanted trees may be a better option than trimming.
Are your trees growing near lines?
WEL Networks regularly carries out patrols on its lines to identify problem trees. However as a property owner,
you are responsible for keeping the trees on your property clear of the lines that run inside your property. This also includes trees that reach over your property boundary and encroach on lines in the roadside reserve.
What should I do if my trees are near the lines?
If you have noticed that your trees are encroaching on the lines, or if you have received a letter from WEL informing you of the problem, you should attend to the problem immediately by either:
- contacting our Customer Contact Centre on 0800 800 935 so that we can arrange for our vegetation team who are fully qualified and experienced in tree trimming around live power lines to complete the required work.
- completing the work yourself. But beware! This is hazardous work and only permissible under the Health and Safety Act by qualified persons if within the Growth Limit Zone. If you have any doubts please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0800 800 935 for advice.
NB: If you trim or fell any tree and cause a fault, you will be liable for all costs associated with the fault. WEL Networks recommends that this work is undertaken by trained individuals because of the hazardous nature of trimming trees near power lines.
Planting near lines?
Many people like to plant trees on their boundary for privacy or to beautify their property. The planning stage is the time when serious consideration should be given to the species you are choosing, especially if you are planting near overhead lines on your boundary. Remember, that lovely little shrub you planted may become a monster in a few years. If the species selected and its location is such that it does not grow close to the lines you will save time and money by not having to undertake costly trimming.
How much clearance is required and what are the rules?
A "clear zone" (known as the "Growth Limit Zone") is required around the lines at all times. The minimum clearance requirements are 2.5metres at 33,000 volts, 1.6 metres for 11,000 volts and 0.5 metres for 400/230volts
If your trees are within one metre of the growth limit zone you may be given a hazard warning notice as part of WEL Networks' routine patrolling - identifying the problem to you. If we become aware of the tree encroaching the growth limit zone you will be given a cut/trim notice asking you to make arrangements and presenting options to have the trees trimmed or removed.
The rules surrounding trees and power lines are now covered by the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003.
Where WEL is aware that there is an immediate danger to persons or property because a tree has come in contact with or constitutes a hazard to a conductor, or has caused damage to a conductor, WEL is obliged to undertake any work needed to remove that danger.
A tree owner commits an offence where a notice to cut or trim a tree is given, and without reasonable excuse, the tree owner fails to cause the tree to be cut or trimmed, or fails to advise WEL of the time and location of the cutting or trimming of the tree.
Last updated: Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Latest News