Trees are valuable for our environment, and the city of Canberra certainly knows this which is why they’ve created their Urban Forest Strategy. If you’re living in Canberra and have a yard, garden or own land, naturally, there will be trees. However, while advanced trees can certainly look beautiful in all their glory and be immensely useful for your property by providing shade and fresh air, they can also be a nuisance sometimes.

Trees that grow close to power lines, trees that are old, or trees that show signs of sickness can be a danger not only for you, but for the neighbourhood, and for the entire community. There is a big chance for trees like these to fall onto power lines and cause fire, blackout and shortage of electricity. Also, there is a chance for a branch to fall onto a vehicle or a human being.

If your trees are too large or show sign of ageing or sickness, maybe it’s time for a tree pruning and trimming service. Most people aren’t able to do this on their own, which is why you should always seek help from your local professionals in tree trimming Canberra wide who will help you do the job safely. Here is what you need to know about the whole thing.

What Is Tree Trimming and When to Do It?

Trimming, or also called pruning, is cutting overgrown, weak or damaged branches, and is very important for trees. It can influence the way the tree grows. Proper trimming can give the tree its structural integrity. Maintaining the tree’s structure helps to mitigate the risk of broken limbs and falling branches. A properly pruned tree won’t have compromising branch structures and odd weight distribution that could cause disaster in the later life of the tree. What’s more, structural pruning can improve the general look of the tree (especially if you need it to look more aesthetically pleasing).

Trimming should be done in late fall or winter when the tree is in its dormant season. During this time the tree is least susceptible to harm. Trees are susceptible to stress like any other living creature, so cutting branches can cause harm to the tree if done during spring or summer. When the tree is dormant, less sap is lost and insects and fungus are less likely to damage it.

Why It’s Best to Always Hire Professionals?

Many people believe they could use a sow and trim the overgrowth from the tree themselves, but this isn’t advisable. First of all, you can cut healthy branches unnecessarily, and second of all, you can injure yourself. Trees can be very tall and you might not even be able to reach certain branches. This is why seeking help from professionals such as tree trimming Canberra services is best for you, your neighbourhood and your tree.

While you can sometimes do this safely by yourself for the lower branches, you should never try to do this if the branches are touching power lines that are near roadside or public land. This should be only done by professionals. When you hire professionals, they will remove the branches safely and will advise you on how to take care of your trees during the entire year. This isn’t only cutting one or two branches; by hiring professionals who are educated in this area, you are sparing yourself from damaging the tree, but also are keeping your own life and the lives of others safe.

Power Line & Distribution Line Clearance Requirements

Not all trees that grow near public utilities have the same clearance requirements. There are various voltage, transmission and distribution lines that have various line clearance regulations to prevent blackouts. These requirements should be followed to keep everyone safe.

Transmission lines are high voltage transmission lines and run on steel towers or big wooden structures and have multiple lines. They move the electricity from the power plant to the substations for pick up (which is why they have high voltage). So power line clearance requires that trees and other vegetation be trimmed more than the minimum clearance. Trees and vegetation that grows near the transmission power line must be trimmed to avoid contact. Every utility company should complete a vegetation management plan to comply with these regulations.

Distribution lines have lower voltages of around 100kV or below; these are the electrical poles you see in your neighbourhood and near roads that carry electricity from the sub-stations to homes and business and the end-user. But, even though distribution lines have lower voltages, they are still exposed to risk from fallen trees or branches during storms or tree removal accidents. It’s important to have a plan for vegetation management since it could make a difference with power supplies for your home, but also for the homes of the entire neighbourhood.