Trees vs. Satellite Dishes

TLHamel

TLHamel

Location
St. Paul, MN
Do trees interfere with satellite reception?

We've all had the call: "The satellite TV guys told me the trees are blocking the signal." Fact or fiction?
 
Yup. I've trimmed for satellite clearance where it's worked and managed to maintain the trees shape and or appearance.

However, more times than not, trimming doesn't work.

Here's my experience... Satellite guy says to customer, "them there tree tops r in the way, have 'em wacked." Well then the customer calls and shows me the tree tops/limbs. However they seem to never notice what's behind the trees that the satellite guy pointed at... more trees, usually the neighbors trees.

I cringe at those calls, but you have to respond. My first bad experience was with a client of mine who was positive that a pine top and an oak leader was the root of his satellite problems. We removed the pine and the oak leader with no success. He called me back for another pine, again with no success only to find out later that the problem was in the wiring. Almost $2,000 wasted for T.V.
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My last experience, again with another regular client was bad. I warned him that I didn't think it would work because of other tall trees behind his. After 2 trips and $1,500.00 he still has no T.V. I made it VERY clear to him that I was doubtful. I almost feel dirty taking money for a job that didn't accomplish the customers intentions but they understand.

As long as you're dealing with one obviouse tree or limb, trimming for satellite clearance will work. If it's a jungle, dude forget it!!!

-Mike-
 
Do trees physically interfere with the signal or do they filter it? Similar to foliage filtering red and blue from the light spectrum. Is there a difference between audio and visual satellite signals? My Nextel works in the basement; is this satellite or radio? How do TV techs aim the satellite in the proper direction, signal strength?
 
I've done it several times and refused several times to top beeches and oaks which would have led to their demise. Yes btw they do block tv signals. On most of the refusals we've found another place to put the receiver. Case solved. Too often folks think that whacking a tree is the easiest solution, but they soon learn it is complicated.

Most of them are educable that way anyway.
 
That's been my experience.

Glad I don't get many of those kind of pruning projects. And the ones I've done, allowed me to shift the canopies over, rather than chop the tops down with crown reduction.

Hey, there's a tree name for a dish specialist tree service...

"Top Choppers"
 
I've trimmed the trees and also adjusted dishes for signal strength. Trees block the signal when they are in full leaf but in the winter some signal gets through. For the most part trimming for reception is about hacking the tops off of trees. For an experience in just how little trees matter to people just talk to a dish owner who has a tree between him and his signal.

I don't fool with this kind of work any more, I jokingly suggest they get cable.
 
If I could have the Duggy Fir that is in my garden felled, I could get English speaking TV instead of that duff German TV. Its blocking the the signal for sure. Aint my house and aint my tree.. maybe i will just ring bark it instead.

Scotty
 
I usually recommend removal or that they have their dish put up on a pole.(not a tree, won't work with all the movement) Some folks are just doomed around here since the Mtn. side can block a lot too. Hey it's TV anyway, get off the couch you sloth! just kidding.
 
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Do trees physically interfere with the signal or do they filter it? Similar to foliage filtering red and blue from the light spectrum.

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The signal is electromagnetic radiation. Visible light is electromagnetic radiation, too, just at a different frequency. Think of the satellite being a flashlight up in space. It's pretty obvious to the casual observer what types of things would create a shadow for visible light. Different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation might "shine" through something that blocks visible light, but it just so happens that foliage will create a shadow for the TV signals from space.

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Is there a difference between audio and visual satellite signals?

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Probably not enough to merit discussion here.

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My Nextel works in the basement; is this satellite or radio? How do TV techs aim the satellite in the proper direction, signal strength?

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Your Nextel is trading electromagnetic radiation with local towers, not geosynchronous satellites (they still orbit the earth, it's just that their orbit speed matches the rotation of the earth so they appear to be stationary in the sky). The "light" shines through the structure enough to suit your needs, but let me tell you: I live in a heavily-wooded area and while cell-phone use is generally acceptable in the winter months, come summer it's spotty at best. I've also noted while working in remote areas that on a clear day I may have a full compliment of bars but on a foggy day, nothing.

The techs aim the satellite for direction and polarization/rotation to achieve the maximum signal strength.
 
Ya I have trimmed out trees to alow sattilite feed through. I have adjusted the dish on my nieghbors house to get better feed.
I was talking to a dish guy once and asked if they have some sortta thing that looks for the trees or if they just put it there to drum up clients. He laughed but when he saw that the lady was not luaghing because I have trimmed and maintained her property for 4 years now that she was seruious not to have a tree removed for a dish. I chuccled under my breath when she pionted to the roof of the house and said there is a spot up there.
Poles yes , Reduction trimming yes , Removal only if it is apsolutly necessary.
 
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