Power lines and tree clearance law

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Power lines tree clearance law

January 29th, 2010

Tree topping is the best pruning measure to prevent electric shock fatalities, injury, power outages, and to preserve trees, says Johannesburg City Parks.

The electricity industry follows a national standard for safe distances between overhead power lines and trees, according to voltage levels. Required clearance ranges vary between 0.15m for 7.2kv (lower voltage lines), to 5.5m for 800kv (higher voltage lines).

Power line clearance specifications are also cited in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 or 1993, Section 18. City Parks currently tops trees to be three metres below or away from power lines, allowing some two metres for new branches that grow within 8 months to a year of topping.

Legislation and bylaws further require that companies must keep sufficient distance between their trees and public overhead lines to avoid interfering with supply. City Power is required by law to keep trees clear of overhead lines for reasons of public safety, and City Parks renders this management service for City Power.

Public complaints of city trees being hacked instead of pruned, are ill informed, says parks operations executive for street trees, cemeteries and external services, Geoffrey Cooke in an interview with Sheqafrica.com.

The agency follows scientific methods dictated by tree species, seasons, legislation, power line proximity, Sheq considerations, and bus traffic.

“We are often accused of hacking, while we are following the correct legal and environmental procedure, or accused of hacking actually done by unrecognised or unregistered tree felling operators. private tree felling contractors.” He advises residents with problem trees to call on City Parks instead or of unrecognised or unregistered tree felling operators.

“We have implemented tree topping method instead of ‘V’ shape pruning under City Power servitude lines. Trees near overhead lines can interfere with supply, especially in severe weather.

Land owners under power lines are responsible for managing the trees within their own property, as well as branches that encroach on power lines. Trees on pavements and around property boundaries are maintained by City Parks, on behalf of City Power.

Tree works must be carried out in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Topping preferred

A tree topping technique has been developed to result in healthier, safer trees and reduced line clearing costs.

Johannesburg City Parks has maintained trees under City Power servitude lines starting in 2005, for the first three years using the V-shaped method. However, pruning in this shape does not always solve the problem of preventing the power outages as strong winds may cause branches to brush against lines.

The V-shape is not aesthetically pleasing an unnatural, while children could climb up V-shaped trees and cause fatal or serious injury.

Topping gives the impression that a tree has been ‘butchered’, but trees actually grow back within a year, usually in a ‘lollipop’ shape.