Everything You Should Know About BC Power Outage Tree Hazard

You are liable as an owner of the property for maintaining the service cables on your land, clear of trees and vegetation. Inspect your surrounding area before you begin the process of tree plantation. You need to be very careful when you do your own tree pruning. In most cases, there might be power sources in the close proximity. Ensure to keep yourself as well as any equipment or ladders you’re using at least three meters away from the power lines. Trees that come into contact with transmission lines or cables that have been pulled down by tree branches can kill you and potentially cause a fire. If something, including a tree, comes into contact with an invigorated line, or if a cracked transmission line hits the ground or lands on an automobile as well as sidewalk, electric power will stream to the surface and expand in abnormal concentric rings. This is referred to as the effect of Ripple. It is massively risky and can cause serious hazard to the life in the surrounding area. In British Columbia, especially in the Vancouver region, such cases of power outage are most often caused by trees. It is high time that we understand its severity and take measures to avoid it.

What Can Be the Major Reason?

When planting new trees or plants, spend some time looking up for transmission lines and below for underground electric lines. Whenever it comes to keeping a stable and dependable electrical system, it is often seen that a tree has the potential to cause harm to the power system. Many power failures can be overcome almost immediately, and some can seem to last longer for up to a couple of days or even weeks. Power outages are caused mainly by mis-planted trees, excessive rain, overgrown trees, and/or strong winds that damage electric lines and facilities. Overburdening trees or extreme weather can also put a strain on the power grid.

Safety Measures to Consider:

Landowners are responsible for the maintenance of trees near supplementary power lines that serve their properties. In other words, you must keep the cables far away from the trees and plants in your area. If you observe a transmission line getting dangerously close a tree, call an experienced arborist right away.  

Here are a few pointers to save you from having to completely cut down or prune your tree afterward:

  • Whenever you are planning to plant a tree, imagine the tree at its full width and length. You will imagine the tree whether it could pose a hazard if it develops to its highest point.
  • Make sure to plant the large-growing trees far enough away from the power lines where they’ll be safe once fully matured. Take into account the moment of wind as well as the canopy spread.
  • Notice carefully where gas lines as well as other deep underground utilities are located, before you drill so you don’t plant trees just next to them or damage underground facilities. This practice is actually mandated by law as well.

If you are looking for a reliable and dependable arborists or tree removal in Vancouver, we are here for you. We will ensure the prevention of tree branches falling on transmission & distribution lines. We identify and, as needed, remove hazardous trees that grow along the dangerous areas. 

Make sure to hire an arborist if you notice the following signs in your trees:

  • They are getting far too long.
  • They’re either dead or dying.
  • They’re infected.
  • They have a compromised root system.
  • They’re erratic.

Not every tree must be cut down. Many dangers can be avoided by detaching troublesome branches. Healthful trees, bushes, and other plant types that are not extremely dangerous are not removed if the hazard tree can be fully removed. But, whatever the case is, always ensure that your trees are not causing damage to the power lines as it can initiate a major power outage and cause massive damage.

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