"Eddy" wrote in message
...

.. The trouble is I can't afford to let this deodar
get any higher than its current 18 feet, because of power lines and
satellite dish interference.

Eddy.

Your mention of powerline worries me a bit! At What voltage do the
powerlines operate ? (HV or LV) You don't want to even get close to these
and if in doubt contact your local electricity provider so that their
linesmen can do the lopping with the intention of preventing any flash over
between the line and the tree. They will have a vested interesting in
having a fault free system.

Bill