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Electric utilities must keep trees trimmed so
they remain a safe distance from high-voltage
power lines. Utilities hire specially trained
tree trimmers to do this work. Only qualified
tree trimmers are allowed to trim trees near
high-voltage power lines. These workers
know how to trim trees to keep them healthy and
to make sure branches won’t touch nearby
lines. Never attempt to prune trees near
power lines yourself.
Benton PUD’s tree program follows the
standards set forth by the National Arbor Day
Foundation and the International Society
of Aboriculture. Benton PUD’s pruning
practice uses the technique of directional pruning,
which leaves intact the branches growing away
from power lines and the branches growing towards
the power lines are cut at a lateral branch or
stem. V-pruning and side pruning are the
two main variations of directional pruning. Over
time, trees develop a more natural appearance
and are healthier than trees topped flat. |
