My Tree is Growing Into the Power Lines — What Should I Do?

We receive this question regularly, particularly from homeowners in the older residential streets of Grange-over-Sands, Kendal and Ulverston where mature trees and older overhead cable networks exist side by side. A tree growing into or touching overhead power cables is a situation that understandably causes anxiety, and the correct course of action is not always obvious. This article sets out exactly what you should do.

Do Not Touch the Tree Yourself

This is the single most important point and it needs to be stated clearly at the outset. Do not attempt to prune or cut any branches that are in contact with or close to overhead electricity cables yourself, under any circumstances. Overhead power lines in residential streets are not always insulated, and contact with them, even through a wet branch or a wet piece of equipment, can be fatal. This is not a risk worth taking under any circumstances.

Whose Responsibility is It?

The answer depends on where the tree is and where the cables run.

If the cables are part of the public electricity distribution network, the responsibility for maintaining clearance between trees and the cables rests with the electricity network operator. In Cumbria, this is Electricity North West. Network operators have a legal duty to maintain their cables in a safe condition and have the right to carry out or require tree cutting to maintain safe clearance from their network. If a tree on your property is growing into public distribution cables, you should contact Electricity North West directly to report the situation. Their number is 0800 195 4141 and they have a specific process for dealing with vegetation encroachment on their network. In many cases they will carry out or fund the necessary clearance work themselves.

If the cables running to your property are service cables, the smaller cables that connect from the distribution network on the street into your individual property, the position is slightly different and it is worth checking with Electricity North West or your electricity supplier who is responsible for maintaining the service cable on your property.

If the tree is on your land and is growing into cables belonging to a private network, a farm or estate electrical supply for example, you will need to discuss the situation with whoever operates that network.

What if the Tree is on My Land?

If the tree growing toward or into the cables is on your land, you may have a responsibility to manage the situation, even if the network operator also has responsibilities. In practice, the best approach is to contact Electricity North West first and explain the situation. They will assess the risk level and advise on what needs doing and who will carry it out.

If they determine that the work falls to you as the tree owner, we can carry out the pruning to create safe clearance, working to the guidelines on minimum clearance distances from electricity cables. All our operatives are trained to work safely near overhead utilities. We do not work on or directly adjacent to live high-voltage cables without the relevant Safe System of Work in place, and for work close to high-voltage lines we coordinate with the network operator directly.

What if the Tree Has a Tree Preservation Order?

A Tree Preservation Order does not prevent work being carried out on a tree in an emergency situation where public safety is at risk. If a tree poses an immediate danger through contact with electricity cables, the safety of people takes precedence. However, you should still notify the local planning authority as soon as reasonably practicable after any emergency works.

For planned pruning to maintain clearance from cables on a TPO tree, a consent application to the council will be needed in advance. We handle this on behalf of our clients. See our Tree Preservation Orders page for more information.

Get in Touch

If you are concerned about a tree on or near your property in relation to overhead cables, call us and we will give you honest advice on the situation and the correct course of action.

Phone/WhatsApp: 07376804724
Email: enquiries@maxreynoldstreeservices.com

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