Mon, 03 Nov 2014
Starting in the new year, the Town of Oakville will begin pruning trees near power lines in neighbourhoods in east Oakville. The town is undertaking this work on behalf of Oakville Hydro in an effort to reduce safety hazards and prevent power outages. A public open house will take place on November 12, 2014, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall for residents to learn more about the process.
If not properly maintained, trees can create power outages or hazardous situations by touching or falling on power lines.
“Regular pruning generally makes trees structurally more resilient to extreme weather events such as ice storms,” said John McNeil, manager, Forestry Services. “Our arborists inspect trees to ensure safe clearance around power lines to minimize potential hazards. The town uses professional tree service contractors skilled at maintaining the health of the trees.”
There are approximately 18,000 municipal and privately owned trees in the town’s hydro line clearing program. Trees in the program are pruned on a three-year cycle in each of the three zones of Oakville Hydro’s service area, following the Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA) industry standard of providing a minimum three-metre (10 foot) clearance.
In some instances, hazardous trees may require removal if satisfactory pruning cannot be achieved. Residents will be contacted if a tree requires work beyond routine pruning. When power lines are located in rear yards, workers will access the hydro easement through the property.
At the open house, residents will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the town’s Forestry section, Oakville Hydro, and the town’s tree service contractor, The Davey Tree Expert Company.
More information and a hydro line clearing zone map can be found on the Oakville Hydro website.
If you have any accessibility needs, please contact ServiceOakville one week before the open house at 905-845-6601 or service@oakville.ca or by filling out the accessible online feedback form.