When to trim your trees
If a tree, hedge or shelter belt is not maintained as per the requirements of regulations, it can cause serious issues if it comes into contact with the electricity network.
It is your responsibility to make sure that your trees and vegetation are clear of network assets.
If you are unsure, give us a call on 0800 30 90 80 and we can help.
Some work requires people or machinery to get closer than 4 metres from power lines. This requires a Close Approach Consent from MainPower. Click here to find out more about close approach consents.
We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.
The zones
Please don’t wait to be reminded that your trees need to be cut.
Be proactive, regularly inspect your trees and if they are in either the Notice Zone or the Growth Limit Zone (detailed below) they must be trimmed safely.
Call us on 0800 30 90 80 for a free inspection and a quote from our utility arborists.
Cut / trim notice
- These distances are from the power line, not the power pole.
- These distances are a minimum and apply in all conditions, including high wind or snow.
- In most instances, the power lines that go to a house or building are low voltage power lines.
- Power lines that go down a street may be low or high voltage.
- The notice zones vary depending on the voltage of the power lines.
If your tree is growing within the Notice Zone, it must be trimmed soon because it is growing too close to power lines and equipment. If your tree continues to grow into the Growth Limit Zone you will receive a legal notice from us requiring the tree to be trimmed (by a qualified contractor) within a specified time frame.
Fall hazard zone
This zone is where trees might present a hazard if they fall and damage power lines. The closest a tree can be located is calculated as the height of a tree plus four metres.
Don’t forget, before you plant any trees or hedges near power lines, plant those that have a slow growth rate, or dwarf species, otherwise you will be trimming on a regular basis which is time consuming and costly.
Cutting trees near live lines
Due to the risk of danger, cutting trees near live power lines is a very specialised job. MainPower has its own team of experienced and qualified utility arborists. Click here to find out more about MainPower’s tree services and book a free tree trimming inspection.
Some work requires people or machinery to get closer than 4 metres from power lines. This requires a Close Approach Consent from MainPower. Click here to find out more about close approach consents.
Resources
For a copy of the information above, download the fact sheet below:
We’re here to help
If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.
