Month: August 2024

Caring For A Tree Near Power Network Lines in the UK – Who is Responsible and What Should I Do? | Do I Need to Trim Trees Near BT/UKPN Cables?

Tall trees can provide an abundance of shade, beauty, and life to our natural surroundings. However, if they come into contact with power lines, they can also be incredibly disruptive – not to mention that they can become safety risks for you, your neighbours, and the entire local area. Here, we’ll explain what to do if a tree on your land is too close to power network cables.

While trees are beautiful additions to our natural landscape, they obviously have a habit of growing in their own way…

For private homeowners or business owners, that can mean trees and their branches growing to such an extent that they are dangerously near BT or UK Power Networks cables.

It should go without saying that this is a major issue for both the owner of the property where the tree is located, and for the companies who oversee the cables (as well as for the local community at large).

In this blog, we’ll take a look at who is responsible for caring for trees that are near/in conflict with power lines, as well as what you can do to sort this issue.

Who is Legally Responsible For Caring For Trees Near Power Cables?

The owner of the property is legally responsible for the care of their trees, meaning they need to make sure their trees aren’t interfering with UKPN cables.

However, what they do about an overgrown tree might depend on several different factors.

UK Power Networks specifically covers London, East and South East and asks on their website for homeowners to contact them if they notice trees or bushes becoming overgrown. Often, this is so that they can report the issue and arrange a visit to the affected area themselves.

Homeowners can freephone 105 to get through to their local network to then enquire about tree trimming.

Once there, they will assess the work that needs to be done. If a tree or bush needs to be dealt with, they will inform the homeowner/business owner and tell them what steps need to be taken next.

What Will Happen Next?

Based on the assessment from the energy company, it is likely that a tree specialist will need to be called to trim the tree and give it proper care so that it doesn’t interfere with power lines.

In terms of who pays for the work that needs to be done, the energy company might decide to cover this themselves. However, legally speaking, the owner of the tree has ultimate responsibility, meaning they should be fully prepared to be responsible for all work and costs.

Should I Hire A Tree Specialist / Arborist?

If you find yourself in a situation similar to those discussed above, you might deliberate about the best course of action.

While some might believe they can sort the issue themselves, there are serious risks involved if you don’t consult a tree specialist.

In this section, we’ll lay out some of the benefits and risks of hiring a tree care specialist to do the work:

Benefits of Hiring a Tree Specialist/Arborist:

• You get the best service: Let’s be clear, an arborist is going to deal with an issue in exactly the way it needs to be dealt with. They will trim your tree to the exact requirements laid out by the energy company and the local authorities. They’ll also do all of this while trying to mitigate any adverse effects brought on by your tree having to be trimmed in the first place.
• You ensure your own safety: Tree care can often be dangerous work – which is why it’s better when it’s carried out by a specialist. The last thing you want is to fall and hurt yourself over the small matter of removing a branch near a power line.
• You are legally covered: Tree specialists will know the legal requirements of their work, and they will carry out their work with this in mind. This means that you won’t run into any legal issues.

Risks of Hiring a Tree Specialist/Arborist:

• Cost: It should be noted that there are no actual risks of hiring a tree specialist to undertake this kind of work, except that it will obviously incur a cost. However, it is important to note that this cost doesn’t always fall on the home/business owner, as sometimes the energy company will cover the cost. Either way, the cost is very small compared to the issues a tree owner will face if they don’t carry out the work they are legally required to do.

Conclusion – Keep Yourself and Your Local Area Safe

By trimming your tree that’s close to power network lines, you’re ensuring that your own property and those in your surrounding area remain safe and risk-free.

If you need to contact a tree specialist to carry out the specific kind of work detailed in this article, contact About Trees for a free consultation.

About Trees – Kent Tree Surgeon and Arborist

About Trees Ltd. is a long established tree surgeon and arborist that offers a professional tree care service around Kent including Faversham, Whitstable, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Ashford, Maidstone and more.

We build long lasting relationships, built on honesty and trust and are Kent Trading Standards Approved and CHAS accredited. Our team has 25 years of knowledge working with trees with all our crews fully trained and certificated as well as carrying up-to-date First Aid qualifications and DBS checks.

If you’re a homeowner, and considering planting trees near your property but unsure on the risks then this blog is especially for you.

Naturally, you’ll want to do everything possible to enhance your property’s value and general appearance. Planting trees is one of the simplest, most cost-effective, and most environmentally friendly ways of doing this – but it can come with risks if not done right. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to consider when planting trees near your property/house Trees go a long way to enhancing your property.

Trees do a whole of things: they provide shade, create a welcoming natural environment, foster biodiversity, and improve air quality. That’s all before mentioning the simple fact that – when kept healthy – they just look great outside your house.

But before breaking ground and planting rows of the nearest available trees outside your property, there are some risks to be aware of, as well as considerations about the best species to plant and the soil type you’re working with within your property.

At About Trees, our tree care specialists have dealt with homeowners who have transformed their gardens into tree-filled nature havens – and others who have called upon us because their tree-planting efforts caused them problems they hadn’t previously foreseen.

Let’s take a look at the risks and considerations you’ll need to keep in mind when planting trees near your property:

The key risks of planting trees near home

While we don’t need to stress again the benefits of planting trees near your home, planting them too close can pose several dangers.

Root damage

Plenty goes on beneath the surface of your trees – and some of it can harm your property’s foundations.

Tree roots can cause structural damage to your home, your footpaths, and your underground plumbing. This is because roots tend to seek moisture and nutrients.

In doing so, they can invade sewer lines or cause upheaval in foundation work. Proximity to buildings should be carefully measured – and if in any doubt, you should immediately contact us for advice.

Overhanging branches

You’ll no doubt have seen haunted house films with unruly tree branches scraping along window panes – but it’s important to be aware that trees planted too close to a property come with their own horror stories…

Overhanging branches can damage roofs, gutters, and façades during storms or high winds, while fallen branches can also pose safety risks to people.

Maintenance burdens

Following on from the overhanging branches consideration, homeowners should be aware that trees will require maintenance – and if they’re planted too close to a property, then that maintenance can quickly become a burden.

Trees planted too close to a homeowner’s property will require frequent trimming or pruning, while trees planted too close to a neighbouring house require plenty of maintenance and could even require tree cutting if they impinge on a neighbour’s land.

The importance of soil type

Trees need good soil for a range of essentials, including air, minerals, nutrients, anchorage, and – importantly – water absorption.

Before you decide on the positioning and the species of tree to plant on your property, it’s vital to assess your soil type. As a Kent based tree specialist, we know that the soil in this region varies, meaning that certain trees might achieve stronger growth in certain soils.

If your property has clay soil, you should be aware that this type drains poorly, leading to problematic root growth for many tree species. Meanwhile, sandy loam (also found in abundance in Kent) offers opportunities for a variety of species to grow well.

A soil test, carried out by a tree care specialist, can provide insights into pH levels and nutrient concentration, which is crucial for understanding the soil and choosing the suitable tree species.

Choosing the right species for your property

To ensure ideal growth and longevity for the trees surrounding your property, getting the species right is important. Here are several tree species to consider if you live on a property based in Kent:

Silver Birch (Betula pendula)

Silver birch trees are great because they thrive in various soil types and are relatively low maintenance. They can also improve biodiversity in the area surrounding your property, as they attract birds.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Yew trees are aesthetically pleasing and well-known for their longevity. This is an ideal tree choice for your property, providing the planting area you’re working with isn’t overly wet (as it will start to yellow in this type of soil).

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

Rowan trees are known for performing well in poor and rocky soils, meaning they will be well-suited for a whole range of properties. They will also attract plenty of wildlife to your garden!

Optimum planting time of the year

It’ll no doubt make sense that timing is as crucial for growing healthy trees as choosing the suitable species and getting the right soil conditions.

Spring is the best time to plant trees, with warmer, rising temperatures and increased soil moisture. Planting in early spring can ensure that root systems are established before summer (although if you plant too early, your young trees might be affected by a later winter frost – we don’t need to stress that British winters can be unpredictable!)

Later summer/autumn can be a good time for planting trees if you’re in a region with milder winters.

At this time of year, soil conditions will be ideal, and tree roots will be well-equipped to absorb moisture and nutrients by the time the growing season officially begins.

Again, we must stress that planting should occur well before winter, or your tree roots will be frozen before they get a chance to grow.

In conclusion

If you’re considering planting trees near your property, it’s always worth taking onboard the above considerations.

If you are in any doubt about the right choice of species – or whether there are any risks to your choice – please contact the team at About Trees as we are Kent’s tree care specialist.

Reach out to us here.