Tree trimmers for SaskPower get \'a little crazy\'
Tree trimmers for SaskPower get 'a little crazy' in family's yard
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/06/05/sask-power-tree-trimming-123.html
A Saskatchewan family is criticizing the provincial power utility's practice of tree-trimming, saying crews went overboard on their property.
The contractor for SaskPower responsible for keeping power lines clear of tree branches was recently working in Landis, a small town about 125 kilometres west of Saskatoon. Chad Westgard, a resident of the town, gave the contractor's work crew permission to trim the trees in his father's back yard.
"They were here early [in the morning]," Westgard told CBC News on Friday. "And I came outside, and I seen what they were doing, and I said, 'Stop now. You're getting a little crazy with it'."
The Westgards were expecting some light trimming, similar to what they observed on a neighbour's property, to keep branches away from overhead power lines.
However, they claim the tree cutters removed more than was necessary.
"They went even around the yard, and they cut inside ... far away from the power line," Chad's father, Duane Westgard, told CBC News.
He said it took 60 years for the trees to grow, and now, many of them are gone or chopped down to next to nothing.
"I'm gonna have to take these trees out," Westgard said. "I can't have them falling against my house."
According to officials with SaskPower, tree-trimming is a necessary precaution around power lines. In addition to keeping the trees from enveloping lines, trimming back branches ensures high winds do not break off branches, which could fall into lines.
SaskPower said it would investigate what was done on the Westgard property, but a company spokesman was defending the contractor.
"It's a call the arborists make," said Mike Marsh vice-president of transmission and distribution. "They're professionals in their field, and they look at the species of tree, and they determine how far down the limb they have to bring the trimming. And sometimes ... that trimming does go very close to the ground."
The Westgards said they can't get their trees back, but they will try to get financial compensation from the utility.
Tree trimmers for SaskPower get 'a little crazy' in family's yard
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/06/05/sask-power-tree-trimming-123.html
A Saskatchewan family is criticizing the provincial power utility's practice of tree-trimming, saying crews went overboard on their property.
The contractor for SaskPower responsible for keeping power lines clear of tree branches was recently working in Landis, a small town about 125 kilometres west of Saskatoon. Chad Westgard, a resident of the town, gave the contractor's work crew permission to trim the trees in his father's back yard.
"They were here early [in the morning]," Westgard told CBC News on Friday. "And I came outside, and I seen what they were doing, and I said, 'Stop now. You're getting a little crazy with it'."
The Westgards were expecting some light trimming, similar to what they observed on a neighbour's property, to keep branches away from overhead power lines.
However, they claim the tree cutters removed more than was necessary.
"They went even around the yard, and they cut inside ... far away from the power line," Chad's father, Duane Westgard, told CBC News.
He said it took 60 years for the trees to grow, and now, many of them are gone or chopped down to next to nothing.
"I'm gonna have to take these trees out," Westgard said. "I can't have them falling against my house."
According to officials with SaskPower, tree-trimming is a necessary precaution around power lines. In addition to keeping the trees from enveloping lines, trimming back branches ensures high winds do not break off branches, which could fall into lines.
SaskPower said it would investigate what was done on the Westgard property, but a company spokesman was defending the contractor.
"It's a call the arborists make," said Mike Marsh vice-president of transmission and distribution. "They're professionals in their field, and they look at the species of tree, and they determine how far down the limb they have to bring the trimming. And sometimes ... that trimming does go very close to the ground."
The Westgards said they can't get their trees back, but they will try to get financial compensation from the utility.
