Trees over power lines!

[ironpirate]

Had a customer ask me to bid the removal of this yellow pine today. Not sure I wanna tackle it with the powerlines that close and tucked up under several limbs. Looks like the main line is about 28kv.....[emoji32]

To some this job may seem easy but I dont mess around with powerlines, there is no second chances with this stuff...most of the time. Interested in some opinons of what could be done with this tree.

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[Steve Connally]

Most utility providers will provide a no charge cut back to get you outside the MAD. Find your local utility forester.

 

[ironpirate]

If I could get that I'd be golden. That is exactly what I mentioned to the homeowner today. He is contacting the local power board tomorrow to see about getting those specific kibs cut back.

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[ironpirate]

If I could get that I'd be golden. That is exactly what I mentioned to the homeowner today. He is contacting the local power board tomorrow to see about getting those specific limbs cut back.

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[david1332]

around me they do a 15' clearance of the lines. Only problem is scheduling can be tough. But it is free

 

[TreeVB]

Isnt the clearance only a distance to touch? The problem here is not that they are within the MAD, at least it looks from the photo, but when they are cut, they have potential to swing down and touch. It doesn't look like a clearance company would do anything else to that tree on their own dime, from my experience

 

[colb]

I think you *could* do it with minimum of a cmi rope jack or mechanical advantage pulley system.

Why not pass? It's good to be a bit humble occasionally. I bet someone else has a better rig and/or certification than yours, for this job, and they may refer a job back to you sometime in the future...

I would either pass on this tree, or get the lines covered and start winching those branches up on backside face cuts with thick hinges until their tips are on the spar. They aren't heavy, just technical... Really though, its hard to tell from pictures, so it's kind of your call. Nothing wrong with the pics, just hard to tell...

 

[Dragonslayer]

Looking at the insulators, your primary is probably 7.2 kV (7200v). If they won't trim that side of the tree they will probably cover the primary for you.

 

[ironpirate]

Thanks for the input guys!

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[Steve Connally]

In my area of Virginia they'd trim that with no questions asked. They are very good about the MAD and looking at the tree and knowing what we have to do to get it down. I'd say if they don't, pass it up. Not worth the slim profit margin and the risk to you!

 

[Scheffa]

Here in Aus, when we cut clearance on the lines we have to cut to the sky, so no limbs can encroach on our distances over the lines

 

[RoyalTree]

If you are not comfortable with the job, walk.

We have to know when to pass on jobs. If the utility makes it safe it is a different job all together and I will often tell the homeowner that we will not even provide a price until it has been cleared as we do not know to what extent they will cut.

We pass on jobs involving power lines at least a few times per month.

 

[cerviarborist]

I find I get better outcomes when I call the utilities myself and introduce myself as an arborist. Utilities are accustomed to panicky homeowners calling for every little thing. I ask to talk to their clearance coordinator and explain my circumstances. I usually have to agree to meet them there on a certain day to pick up and remove the brush they drop, as they won't take it themselves most of the time. I won't schedule work until after this is done. You can easily wind up having a crew rolled out and on site, and then have a line clearance no-show.