I don't know about your state, Roger, but Louisiana arborists are
required to be licensed. Part of the requirements for licensing
is that they know and be trained about such things as working
around power lines and how to prune a tree so that it will meet
power company specifications. That's why I said arborist and not
just a tree trimmer which can be any old hack with a chainsaw
operating illegally.
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Snipes ]
There are some potential problems with having your trees that are
in the
power line right-of-way pruned by your own arborist. One is that
your
arborist may end up working close to the power lines, which is
dangerous -- especially if they aren't properly trained, and the
utilities, as well as
state industrial insurance departments, generally discourage such
things.
Another consideration is that if your contractor doesn't trim
your trees
near the lines to the utilities specifications, their contractors
will just
trim the trees again anyway when they come through the area. At
least that is what would happen here. Some utilities may be more
lax.
One bright spot -- as Alan notes, most of the utilities are
training their
contractors in proper pruning practices these days, so even if
they leave
the trees looking bad, at least their health is maintained.
Regards,
Roger Snipes
Spokane Wa. Zone 5, or maybe 6, depending on who you believe.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"
Having gone nearly a week without power after a January
ice storm a few years ago, I appreciate the need to prune trees
away from power lines. And Asplundh is all over the place this
month pruning away. They are doing a better job the last few
years than they used to do. My arborist, who is an honest to god
tree freak, landed a contract to train them in proper pruning
techniques. Yes, they still leave trees looking aesthetically
perverse, pretty much like Roger describes, but they now respect
the branch collars and such, leaving the trees with a much better
chance of thriving afterwards.
The key to keeping them from butchering your own trees is
to have it done at your own expense before they get to your
neighborhood. You don't have to do this every year; probably once
every ten years will do. That way you can choose an arborist who
is accountable to you and your tastes.
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org
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