Trees Powerlines and Safety

Tree Clearance from Power Lines: Power Line Safety and Responsibilities

Maintaining tree clearance from power lines is crucial for safety and uninterrupted power supply. Trees and vegetation growing too close to powerlines or utility infrastructure pose serious risks, including blackouts, fires, and electrocution. Ensuring the safety of overhead power lines requires regular maintenance and following the necessary guidelines. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping trees and vegetation clear of powerlines.

Why Tree Clearance from Power Lines is Important

Trees growing near powerlines can lead to several serious hazards:

• Blackouts: Branches touching or falling on powerlines can cause power outages, disrupting electricity to homes and businesses.
• Fire Hazards: Overgrown trees and vegetation can ignite, leading to grass fires or bushfires, especially during dry, hot seasons.
• Electrocution: Contact between trees and powerlines can cause electric shock, posing a risk to anyone in the vicinity.
• Restricted Access: Overgrown vegetation can prevent utility companies from conducting necessary maintenance on power poles, cables, and other infrastructure.

What is Considered Overhead Infrastructure?

Overhead infrastructure includes powerlines, power poles, and overhead cables. These structures require a clear area around them to ensure safe operation and maintenance access.

Four Key Points for Landowners

As a landowner or occupier, it’s your responsibility to maintain safe clearance between trees, vegetation, and powerlines. Here are four important things to remember:

1. Maintain Proper Clearance: Trees, shrubs, and other vegetation on your property must remain clear of powerlines and other utility infrastructure. You are legally obligated to ensure nothing encroaches on the required safety clearance zones.

2. Adhere to Minimum Clearances: The minimum distance between vegetation and powerlines must be maintained at all times. These clearances are designed to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of utility workers.

3. Only Certified Arborists Can Work Near Powerlines: It’s essential to use only ActewAGL-accredited tree surgeons when performing tree trimming near powerlines. These professionals are trained to work safely around electricity infrastructure.

4. Never Assume Powerlines are Safe: In the event of a power outage, whether planned or unexpected, do not assume powerlines are de-energised. Never attempt to trim trees or perform any other work near powerlines without confirmation from the utility company that the area is safe.

Legal Obligations Beyond Property Boundaries

It’s essential to note that even if powerlines or other utility infrastructure are adjacent to your property and not directly within your boundaries, you are still responsible for ensuring there is no interference. Minimum clearance requirements still apply, and failure to comply can result in legal and financial consequences.

Protecting Utility Infrastructure During Construction and Landscaping

If you are planning construction or landscaping projects, you must ensure that trees, vegetation, or built structures do not interfere with powerlines or other infrastructure. Even if you hire a draftsperson, builder, or landscaper, the responsibility for compliance lies with the property owner. Be sure to communicate these clearance requirements to any contractors you engage.

Private Power Poles: Your Responsibility

If you have a privately-owned power pole on your property, it’s your responsibility to ensure it meets safety standards. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to prevent potential hazards.

Final Thoughts on Tree Clearance and Power Line Safety

It’s crucial to work with ActewAGL-accredited tree surgeons for any tree trimming near powerlines and to maintain regular inspections. By following proper safety standards and maintaining required clearances, you can help avoid fires, blackouts, and accidents.

For professional advice and assistance, contact us.

We offer comprehensive tree inspection and diagnosis services in Canberra, emergency tree removal Canberra, and are fully accredited to work near powerlines. Keep your property safe and compliant with our expert tree management solutions.

About Us

O’Brien’s Tree Services: Your Trusted Arborists Since 2006

We are a family-owned and operated tree care business, serving Canberra and it’s surroundings for over two decades. With extensive experience, we excel in tree services, from trimming to tree removal and stump grinding.

Our skilled team handles all tasks, ensuring your trees receive expert care. We proudly serve Canberra, Murrumbateman, Yass, and Queanbeyan, with no job too big or small.

Fully certified and qualified, we offer peace of mind. Contact us for a FREE QUOTE. Explore our tree services here: Tree Services in Canberra.

 

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TREE SERVICES CANBERRA

OUR CANBERRA TREE SERVICES INCLUDE:

TREE ASSESSMENTS AND ADVICE

Trees are the most important part of our home landscape due largely to their dominance in size and their… Read More

TREE REMOVALS CANBERRA

We are qualified to undertake tree removal Canberra, including dead and dangerous trees. We have… Read more

ACTEWAGL POWERLINE CLEARING

ACT homes owners are required by legislation to keep trees and vegetation clear of overhead powerlines…, Read More

PRUNING / TRIMMING (NOT “LOPPING”)

Lopping is a term sometimes used by customers but qualified tree surgeons would never use this word as lopping…Read More

Hedge Trimming Canberra

We take immense pride in our work, ensuring that every hedge trimming project is executed with the utmost …Read More

Wood splitting

We can provide a wood splitting service with our experienced staff and uses only the highest quality equipment to ensure.…Read More

Stump grinding

We offer a stump grinding service to remove unwanted stumps. Leaving a tree stump in the ground after a tree has been .…Read More

Site clearing

We have the right equipment to do Site clearing in a quick and cost effective manner. we are happy to provide a quotation  …Read More

WE ALSO OFFER A RANGE OF EXTRA TREE SERVICES

wood chipping

we are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to chip and process all the trees and vegetation we remove from your site. we can take the .…Read More

Mulching

Mulching is a highly effective technique that offers a multitude of benefits for your trees and garden. By applying a layer of high-quality mulch around the…Read More

Wood splitting

We can provide a wood splitting service. Our experienced staff is committed to providing excellent service and uses only the highest quality equipment…Read More

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Testimonial

O'Briens Tree Services Canberra

5.0

Based on 31 reviews

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Marie Swindale

23:04 13 May 25

The O'Brien Tree Services team were prompt and very professional. The removal of tree branches and an old hedge was complete with safety for workers and my property in mind. Thanks Marie

Response from the owner 05:10 20 May 25

Thanks so much, Marie, really glad we could help out! We always aim to get the job done safely and leave things looking neat, so it’s great to hear you were happy with how it all turned out. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a review! 😊🌳

Lydia Knuefing

02:14 09 May 25

The team did a fantastic job (taking out a couple of trees and pruning the rest). They arrived on time, worked efficiently and cleaned up afterwards.

Response from the owner 05:11 20 May 25

Thanks heaps for the kind words! Really glad you were happy with the work, we always try to leave the place looking better than we found it. Appreciate you having us out and taking the time to leave a review!

Mark Easton

04:47 07 May 25

Very happy with the service. The team were on time. Very professional. The work was completed to the expected standard and timeframe. Well done.

Response from the owner 05:11 20 May 25

Thanks so much for the feedback! Really happy to hear you were pleased with how everything went. We take pride in doing the job right and showing up when we say we will, glad it all met your expectations. Appreciate you having us out

Paul Tranter

09:01 14 Mar 25

Great work. Arrived on time. Moved garden furniture to a safe place and returned it before leaving. Brett and his team were capable as well as pleasant.

Response from the owner 05:12 20 May 25

Thanks a lot for the lovely review! We’re always happy to go the extra step to keep things safe and tidy. Glad you were happy with the team, I’ll be sure to pass it on to Brett and the crew!

Ray Pegram

00:17 12 Feb 25

Highly recommend O'Brien's Tree Services. Very professional and courteous people to do business with.Arrived on time and did a fantastic job. Very happy, thanks guys.

Response from the owner 05:12 20 May 25

Thanks so much for the kind words! Really glad you’re happy with the job, we always aim to make the whole process easy and stress-free. Appreciate the recommendation and your support!

MrkBO8

03:37 29 Jan 25

Brett and the guys removed 3 tree’s. All the proper precautions were taken, the tree’s were felled in a controlled way, restraints were used to ensure branches stayed in my yard when they fell. I was expecting it go smoothly because a site assessment was undertaken prior to the work being done. Very happy with the result. Mark

Response from the owner 05:51 30 Jan 25

Thanks very much mark. Dropping trees in a controled and safe mannor is what we do best. We are very humbled to know that you notice all of the pre-work that goes into getting a job done successfully. Site assessment is very important to us so we know everyone and thing around is safe.

Laura Jean

03:30 28 Jan 25

This is the second time we've had Brett and his team to our place for a job and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Prompt with communication, efficient on site and they make sure they tidy up post-job.

Response from the owner 05:47 30 Jan 25

Thanks so much for the great review! Always a pleasure assisting you with any of your tree removal projects 🙂

Jane Morlin

02:16 11 Oct 24

Review of O’Briens Tree Services ACTI highly recommend O’Briens Tree Services as a highly professional and value- for-money tree removal company. They undertook the work for me in Canberra. They were extremely professional, efficient and prompt every step of the way- from first contact, inspection, quote, providing the target date and arriving on the nominated day. I had one extremely large tree approved to remove and several smaller ones. They were a hardworking team and worked safely and effectively to do all that work, as well as chipping, removal of debris and stump removal. I was amazed how much they could get done in a day and how well they did it. Not only that, but they were considerably less expensive than other quote(s). I highly recommend them to anyone needing trees removed.- Jane Morlin, resident of Canberra

Response from the owner 12:40 16 Oct 24

Thank you so much, Jane! We're thrilled to hear that you were happy with our service. It was a pleasure working on your property, and we're glad we could meet your expectations with professionalism, efficiency, and value. If you ever need any more tree care in the future, feel free to reach out. Thanks again for recommending us

Oliver Toff

05:25 24 Sep 24

O'Brien Tree Service did an incredible job cutting down a number of trees, handling stump grinding, and chipping the wood. They were quick, reliable, and provided excellent value for money. What really stood out was their attention to detail—they cleaned up everything afterward and even left the wood chips behind for me to use as mulch. No task was an issue for them, and their professionalism was top-notch. If you need tree services done right, I highly recommend O'Brien Tree Service!

Response from the owner 03:23 08 Oct 24

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you were happy with our service and attention to detail. It was our pleasure to ensure everything was handled efficiently, from tree removal to cleanup. We're glad the wood chips will be useful for you! If you ever need tree services again, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks for recommending us! 🌳😊

Susan Ball

04:38 24 Jun 23

Brett and team - I just want to pass on how pleased Rob and I were with the work yesterday when u removed the very large tree in our backyard in Curtin. The team were so professional courteous, safe and cleaned up afterwards. For what has been a roller coaster of an emotional time , as we did not want to lose the tree but could not risk our our safety , your team made the whole experience so much nicer. I would recommend you to anyone who asks us! Cheers..

Leigh G

09:48 07 Jun 23

Appreciate the team's work, thanks heaps for cleaning up my tree. Great to deal with, thank you.

Sarah Barnes

10:14 02 Jun 23

The team from O’Briens Tree Service have done two large tree removal jobs for us. Both times they have been prompt and professional. I was really impressed with the huge amount of work they got completed in one day.The price was very reasonable for the size of the job.Very easy to deal with. I would give them more than 5 stars if I could.Will have them back for any future tree work and will recommend them to any family or friends looking for tree services.

Nick Evans

11:27 29 May 23

O'Briens tree services removed a large tree in my backyard. I was able to get a quote and have the work done quickly and to a high standard. They were friendly, professional and communicated well about the job. Thanks!

Jennifer Miller

22:11 22 May 23

Very happy with the prompt and professional tree removal provided.

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Check out our ‘Before and After’ images that illustrates the journey from untamed growth to impeccably groomed beauty. Witness firsthand the results of choosing O’Brien’s Tree Services for your tree care needs.

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