[CANUFNET] Restricting Tree Height

Wed Jul 11 08:42:36 EDT 2012

If you are going to be looking at planting trees in Hydro 
corridors/right-of-ways, and I think it's a great idea,  you need to 
consider the safe limits of approach to those overhead lines.

 Safe limits are determined by the voltage of the those lines and no 
portion of the tree or any part of equipment that needs to get into the 
tree to maintain should encroach into those safe limits. 

I'm going to assume that anyone you send to do work on trees that you've 
planted would be an unauthorized worker (unauthorized from the stand point 
of the power authority who owns the equipment) so the safe limits would be 
(in Ontario, Section 188, Reg 627/05, s7) 750 or more volts but not more 
than 150,00, safe limits is 3 meters, 150,000 to not more than 250,000 
safe limits is 4.5 meters, more than 250,000 safe limits is 6 meters. 

Hydro 1 or any smaller power utility is going to be exempt from any 
municipal bylaw that protects trees and at the end of the day 
unfortunately the mantra is "clearance before appearance". Often you'll 
see some pretty horrific "trimming" attempts by power line arborists to 
try and compromise complete removal when they are pressured but keeping 
the power on and worker/public safety from electrocution is going to trump 
tree preservation any day of the week.

Now having stated that, I just happen to have in front of me an old 
easement agreement between a private homeowner and the Hydro Commission of 
Ontario which deals with vegetation on ROW.

This document deals with a wood pole transmission line built in the 1940's 
but not much has changed. The poles would be 45-50 foot and the 
construction would be cross arm. Voltages I believe are 115,000 volts.

"( c ) To keep the said land as described clear of all trees except fruit 
trees which shall not exceed twelve feet in height, and to cut or trim 
from time to time such trees as the Commission may consider necessary for 
the operation and maintenance of the said line and necessary equipment." 

That agreement gives the utility the right to access and maintain at their 
discretion, all the vegetation on the easement that they determine may 
interfere with the safe distribution/transmission of electricity. Small 
little paragraph but very powerful. 

Keep all of this in mind when you're dealing with power corridors and 
Hydro 1, work with their forester and respect the safe limits and you 
should have no issues as long as you don't impede access to equipment. 
Hydro 1 controls the corridor and what grows on it, you're going to need 
their cooperation. 

Mike Dixon R.P.F
MTCU Certified Utility Arborist
Forestry Coordinator
Thunder Bay Hydro
(807) 343-1040
(807 251-5774
MDixon at tbhydro.on.ca

It's OK to print this email.
Paper comes from a biodegradable, recyclable, renewable resource - trees. 
Making forest products from sustainably managed forests results in jobs 
for thousands of people, clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat and 
carbon storage.

From:   "Netami Stuart" <nstuart at toronto.ca>
To:     <canufnet at list.web.net>, 
Date:   10/07/2012 05:16 PM
Subject:        Re: [CANUFNET] Restricting Tree Height

Speaking of short trees in Hydro corridors....

Here in downtown Toronto, open space is at a premium and the city often 
licenses hydro corridors for use as parkland or trails. Hydro One reviews 
site plans for our parkland proposals and they require that any tree 
planted in the corridors be "maximum 4.5 m height at maturity".  This 
doesn't mean "max. 4.5 m if you prune them diligently".  It means a 
naturally short tree: Hawthorn, Crabapples, shrubs. 

My questions to the list (especially utility arborists!):
What tree species would be ideal for planting in hydro corridors in 
downtown Toronto? I am especially interested in nut trees, since we've 
recently had a request for a fruit and nut orchard in a hydro corridor.

Thanks!

Netami Stuart 
Landscape Architect 
Parks, Forestry & Recreation
55 John Street, 24th floor, M5V 3C6
tel: 416-392-3390 

>>> <MDixon at tbhydro.on.ca> 7/9/2012 8:20 am >>>
Would love to see restrictions for maximum height for trees planted under 
overhead power lines but it's likely someone who is scared of tall trees 
and wind who made the initial call and, I'll bet that they are senior. 

Mike Dixon R.P.F
MTCU Certified Utility Arborist
Forestry Coordinator
Thunder Bay Hydro
(807) 343-1040
(807 251-5774
MDixon at tbhydro.on.ca

It's OK to print this email.
Paper comes from a biodegradable, recyclable, renewable resource - trees. 
Making forest products from sustainably managed forests results in jobs 
for thousands of people, clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat and 
carbon storage. 

From:        "McLeod, Geoff (IS - Parks)" <Geoff.McLeod at Saskatoon.ca> 
To:        "'canufnet at list.web.net'" <canufnet at list.web.net>, 
Date:        06/07/2012 08:13 AM 
Subject:        [CANUFNET] Restricting Tree Height 

Okay everyone, here’s one that I have never come across before.  Our 
corporate media person had someone contact them to see if we in Saskatoon 
were going to be doing anything about restricting the height of trees in 
our city.  They claim that some municipalities are already doing this.  I 
have never heard of this.  Has anyone out there heard of this?  I’d really 
like to know and some of the history behind this. 

Thank you. 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a 
habit.” 

Geoff McLeod 
BSc, BSF, MSc 
Superintendent 
Urban Forestry and Pest Management
City of Saskatoon 
Parks Branch 
Ph: 306.975.2537  Fax: 306.975.3034 
Email: geoff.mcleod at saskatoon.ca

The information contained in and transferred with this communication is 
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is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.  (TBH)

The information contained in and transferred with this communication is intended only for the recipient(s) designated above, it is protected by law, and may contain information which is privileged and confidential.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, copying or use of this communication is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.  (TBH)
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