These techniques give little consideration to tree health or structural integrity. In the past, utilities obtained line clearance by "topping" trees or "rounding" them over every few years. Directional pruning actually removes fewer branches and increases wound closure, thereby reducing internal decay.ĭirectionally pruned trees Don't top trees! In addition, directional pruning removes fewer leaves, which trees need for making food. This allows for good wound closure and protects apical dominance, which reduces water sprouting. With reduction cuts branches are pruned properly back to a lateral branch that is at least one-third the diameter of the branch being removed. Reduction cuts are used for all branches that are pruned. This pruning method removes branches growing toward conductors in favor of those growing away. The most appropriate way to prune trees for electric utility line clearance is by directional pruning. Every year people are severely burned or killed while climbing trees and making contact with electric lines. Worse yet, if children or adults climb a tree whose branches are growing up into energized lines, they could be electrocuted. If branches make contact with these lines, they can cause power outages. To ensure safe, reliable electric service, utility companies must prune branches away from high-voltage electric lines. Why do utility companies have to prune trees?
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