Imagine this. A nasty thunderstorm has just passed through. It brought some intense wind gusts and some wicked lightning. It got pretty scary for a little bit and you were getting worried about your property. But aside from losing power, everything now seems to be okay.
That is, until you step outside and notice a tree branch on the power line to the house.
Now, you don’t know what to do. Should you get your tree care professional on the line or should you call the utility company? You know this could be a serious situation and you want to make the right next steps.
The truth is, storms and trees can be a dangerous mix. High winds and lightning from thunderstorms or even snow and ice (from winter-weather storms) can lead to potential problems. This is particularly true for trees close to power lines. When a tree branch is left lying on a power line, for instance, you might be wondering what you should do. Making the right decisions is crucial.
Since storms in the Seacoast region are a fairly common occurrence, we want to provide some expert advice on what to do in these situations.
Table of Contents:
What to do About Tree Limbs on Power Lines?
How to Avoid Tree Limbs on Power Lines?
Performing Tree Trimming Around Power Lines
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
What to do About Tree Limbs on Power Lines?
If a tree limb has fallen onto a power line, your first move should be to call the utility company. They are going to be the experts best-suited to know what needs to happen next.
Your tree care company is not going to be able to know the extent of the danger.
When a limb is in a power line, it’s an emergency situation. This is a scenario where you’re talking about live electricity. Both electrocution and fire are legitimate risks.
We cannot stress this enough…Do not go near the power line or the tree and do not attempt to handle this situation on your own.
You need to call the utility company and let them handle it. They have the capability to control more variables to create a safe situation than either you or your tree care company.
How to Avoid Tree Limbs on Power Lines
While there is no 100-percent surefire way to prevent storm damage to trees (or prevent limbs from falling onto power lines) there are some steps that you can take to at least reduce the risk.
For one, a thorough assessment of the trees on your property will point out which trees might be at the greatest risk for damage during a storm. Certain trees may be more likely to fall during a storm if they have one or more of the following problems:
- Dead wood
- Decaying areas
- Problems with the roots
- Cracks
- Weak or hanging limbs
Then, creating a plan for proper pruning (or even removal) will help address these problems. There is also a service called cabling and bracing that can be used on trees that might have structural weaknesses.
You’ll want to pay special attention when trimming trees near power lines. If trees are touching power lines (or are situated that close to them), these limbs might be more likely to cause trouble.
Routine maintenance of your tree, which includes addressing any issues that may be found, will go a long way in protecting it. This might include a task like thinning out the canopy in order to let the wind go “through” the tree as opposed to hitting it like a wall - left to its own devices, this could make it more likely to fall in a wind storm.
Performing Tree Trimming Around Power Lines
As we’ve mentioned, pruning can be an important strategy in preventing problems with limbs falling in the first place. When trimming trees near power lines, extreme care needs to be taken. This is definitely something best left in the hands of a professional.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we will do tree trimming around power lines for our clients. If there is a concern about electric exposure, we will contact a utility company to put up safety features for us to work safely.
Homeowners should not attempt trimming trees near power lines on their own. We already do not advise DIY pruning since there can be risk involved (plus improper pruning can do more harm than good). When pruning trees around power lines there is even more risk.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Because it’s so important that tree pruning is performed with precision and care, particularly when talking about trees touching power lines, your best bet is to invest in professional tree services.
Keep in mind that even some so-called “professionals” can make mistakes. But even one bad pruning job can lead to a tree’s decline. While it may not die, it can negatively impact its development and/or structure.
This is why it’s critical to find high-quality, tree services in Southern NH, ME, and MA. Look for a company that is extensively trained and that has Certified Arborists (ISA) on staff. It’s important that you are working with a professional who truly knows trees.
When you make the wise choice to invest in professional tree pruning, you can feel confident that you’re not only going to get the best results but that you will also be removing all of that burden (and risk) from your shoulders.
This is important when it comes to protecting your investment in your New England property’s trees. Soon they will be on their way to better health.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we’re committed to preserving the health and beauty of trees by performing vital services like tree pruning, the right way. When you make the choice for tree care services, you’ll ultimately take an important step in protecting the value of your property’s trees.
Ready for safer and healthier trees at your Southern NH, ME, or MA home? Request your consultation and get a free quote for tree pruning services. We service properties in and around Stratham, NH, Kittery, ME, and Haverhill, MA. By making a wise choice, you’ll know your trees are in good hands.
